L2: Empuraan Becomes 2025’s Top Indian Opener, Crosses Rs 200 Crore Worldwide

Director-actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's much-anticipated film L2: Empuraan has officially become the highest-grossing Indian film opening of 2025, surpassing Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava which released in February. The Malayalam action-drama crossed the Rs 200 crore mark worldwide within just five days of release, setting a new benchmark for speed and success.

Strong Opening Weekend and Global Response

The film earned Rs 165 crore globally during its opening weekend alone, outperforming Chhaava’s Rs 160 crore launch. The timing of the release, coinciding with the Eid holiday, boosted ticket sales both domestically and internationally.

L2: Empuraan is now the second Malayalam film in history, after Manjummel Boys (Rs 241 crore gross), to reach the Rs 200 crore milestone—and it did so in record time.

Impressive International Performance

The film’s success in international markets has been particularly noteworthy. It garnered Rs 18 crore from the United States, contributing significantly to an overseas total of US $17.3 million. The US box office alone accounted for US $2.2 million.

Empuraan has now overtaken Chhaava’s global earnings of US $19.1 million, firmly positioning itself as one of the most successful Indian films abroad in 2025.

Legacy, Direction, and Fan Anticipation Drive Success

L2: Empuraan is the sequel to 2019’s Lucifer, which marked Prithviraj’s directorial debut and starred Mohanlal in the lead. The new film builds on its predecessor’s cult following and has been praised by both critics and audiences for its scale, storytelling, and direction.

While Chhaava—a historical drama based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj—had a strong opening earlier this year, Empuraan’s performance has eclipsed it by leveraging the franchise’s established fanbase and global anticipation.

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