In 2019, when actor-turned-director Prithviraj debuted with Lucifer, starring Mohanlal, there was no public discussion of a second or third instalment. However, as the sequel Empuraan (L2E) approaches its release on March 27, the team is now confident enough to hint at a third film, where the world-building initiated in Lucifer will reach its culmination.
Interestingly, if reports and crew statements are to be believed, Empuraan is expected to be the "meaty" portion of the trilogy, as writer Murali Gopy described it using a sandwich analogy. While it operates within the framework of a commercial "mass" entertainer, Lucifer was a film that distinguished itself by blending realism, mythology, and intricate character dynamics into its universe.
THE WEEK revisits the world-building and narrative techniques employed by Prithviraj and Murali Gopy in Lucifer to explore what Empuraan might bring to the table.
Microcosm of evil
The Lucifer franchise is rooted in the idea that all power struggles are merely battles between different shades of evil, with order serving as nothing more than a brief pause between conflicts. In Lucifer, the protagonist, Stephen Nedumpally, emerges at the precise moment when this fragile peace crumbles, ushering in a new era of chaos.
Throughout the film, a mythic aura surrounds Stephen, subtly elevating him beyond the realm of ordinary men. This larger-than-life quality, juxtaposed with the film’s grounded setting, keeps the audience uncertain about his true nature—even as the story reaches its climax.
Set in a fictional yet strikingly realistic Kerala, the film’s narrative is deeply embedded in a recognisable political landscape, shaped by internal rivalries, political funding, and media manipulation. Prithviraj and Murali Gopy construct this world as a microcosm of corruption and power, gradually expanding its scope.
By first immersing the audience in the familiar before venturing into the unknown, Lucifer makes its characters deeply relatable. Yet, like a Russian doll, Stephen’s persona unfolds in layers, with each revelation adding new depth to his enigmatic presence.
No spoon-feeding
Lucifer thrives on subtext, layering its narrative with press clippings and scattered factoids that subtly hint at a larger world beyond what’s shown. Prithviraj and Murali Gopi’s world-building, however, ensures not to serve everything on a platter. Crucial details are tucked into layers, urging the audience to actively engage with the unfolding action rather than passively absorbing information.
Instead of spoon-feeding facts, the film lets viewers piece together the puzzle over time. At the same time, Lucifer avoided falling into the common pitfall of excessive exposition that plagues many ambitious films. Even when certain details are revealed, Lucifer employs unreliable narrators and deceptive symbolism, keeping the audience questioning what’s real.
Notably, while the protagonist’s global connections are hinted at, the film deliberately keeps them vague, preserving an air of mystery. Though the sequel was announced later, Lucifer had already planted the seeds of a larger, uncharted world, waiting to be explored.
Subversion of tropes and symbolism
Lucifer embraces the core tropes of Indian mass masala entertainers, from a larger-than-life protagonist to even an item number to captivate the audience. However, even then, one could find ingenious subversions of these tropes and cliché-breaking. It is not the over-the-top heroics that establish the power of Stephen. Instead, it is one-liners and subtle expressions that are employed for the establishment of the hero trope. Stephen’s eyes are a recurring visual motif, often emphasized through close-up shots, to explore his power and omniscience.
Even in the item number towards the climax, one finds Lucifer subverting it by making it less about fan service and more about enhancing the film’s atmosphere. The picturisation emphasises energetic dance moves over explicit seduction, aligning with Lucifer’s sophisticated tone and subtlety.
Lucifer is rich in symbolism, especially those related to cults and caucuses that are believed to wield power over every nook and corner of the world. The interplay of light and darkness is a classic symbol used to reflect Stephen’s duality. He emerges from shadows into light or commands scenes under dim, moody lighting. Notably, an alias attributed to Stephen in the film by a narrator is Mahiravana, a character from Hindu mythology, who is depicted as a powerful sorcerer and the king of the underworld with stealth and shape-shifting abilities. Notably, his dominion over Patal links him to subterranean realms often associated with serpents in mythology, and this spatial connection evokes serpentine vibes. In Lucifer, Stephen is someone attributed with serpentine wisdom and serpentine traits to shed his robes and take new ones. Stephen isn’t presented as a straightforward hero; he’s a morally ambiguous force whose venom and violence serve a higher purpose, ensuring stability.
What to expect
With L2: Empuraan, the narrative is expected to expand beyond the familiar world of Lucifer into deeper, shadowy realms—unveiling hidden power structures that exist both around and among us. The world-building would become even more ambitious, but Prithviraj is expected to retain his signature layered storytelling and deceptive narrative motifs to deliver another intricate and immersive cinematic experience.
Additionally, the sequel is expected to introduce a formidable antagonist, setting the stage for an ultimate showdown in the already-announced third instalment of the series.
