Mohanlal, Prithviraj forgo salaries for L2: Empuraan to focus on quality filmmaking

The highly anticipated film L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal, is set to release on March 27, 2025. During a recent press conference in Hyderabad, it was revealed that both the director and the lead actor did not receive any payment for their roles in the film.

Prithviraj confirmed that the movie was filmed over 143 working days and shared that neither he nor Mohanlal took any remuneration for their involvement.

Prithviraj explained to Pinkville that L2: Empuraan deviates from the typical industry norm where a significant portion of the budget is allocated to actors' fees. He shared that he chose to invest every bit of his personal resources into the film's production, prioritizing the quality of the film above all else.

Mohanlal echoed Prithviraj's sentiments, stating that he did not take any payment for his role in the movie. He affirmed that the entire focus was on delivering the best possible cinematic experience for the viewers, according to TNIE

Prithviraj explained that everyone involved in L2: Empuraan, including the technicians and actors, understood they were part of something unique, and all contributed to the project. He noted that even foreign actors like Jerome and Andrea acted as a favour.

In his conversation with Pinkvilla, Prithviraj also revealed that he initially approached several well-known international actors from the US, UK, and China. However, he faced difficulties when agents became involved, and their financial demands made it challenging to secure these actors for the film. He remarked that such arrangements don’t typically work in Malayalam cinema.

Despite these hurdles, L2: Empuraan still managed to assemble a remarkable cast of distinguished actors.

TNIE reported that Prithviraj drew a comparison between Mohanlal’s selfless approach and Akshay Kumar’s gesture in Selfiee, where Kumar chose not to accept any payment for his role but instead opted to receive a share of the profits if the film was successful. However, since Selfiee did not perform well at the box office, Kumar ultimately did not ask for any remuneration.

According to film industry tracker AB George, L2: Empuraan has already surpassed Rs 10 crore in pre-sale collections, outpacing the pre-sales of Leo.

As fans eagerly await the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, L2: Empuraan is shaping up to offer a unique cinematic experience, with both Prithviraj and Mohanlal leading the film without seeking personal financial gain, thereby setting a new precedent in the Indian film industry.