Fans who sat down to watch “Lucifer” when it was released on screens in 2019 instead got a lesson in mass cinema with eddies of political drama and taut action. Cut to 2025, and Empuraan, the sequel, ploughs new ground. Once again directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran with the legendary Mohanlal, this movie delves deeper into the genesis of Khureshi-Ab’ram — a character fans couldn’t have enough of with the first part.
Empuraan does not so much as continue the journey as the one you hope it is hoping in — straight on, in with both feet into the bowels of the underbelly, politics and the power play that came to define its elusive antihero. Here are 12 jaw-dropping moments from Empuraan that will give you goosebumps — I’ll tell you, #7 is straight fire.
The First Scene – The Dark History of a Crime
Empuraan starts not with a bang, but with a visual narration of Khureshi-Ab’ram’s past. The origin story unfolds through intense cinematography, showing the trauma, the betrayal, the blood that made this character. It’s raw and immediately engrossing.
Mohanlal’s First Look – Guaranteed Goosebumps
Mohanlal walking into frame — calm, collected, but deadly — is magnetic. The first scene he appears in, in Empuraan, paired with Sushin Shyam’s electrifying background score, sets the tone instantly. He speaks little, but his presence looms large.
An Example of Tactical Brilliance — The Swiss Bank Setup
It’s a sequence that plays to Khureshi’s intellect rather than his brute strength. A gorgeously filmed sequence that involves high-stakes money laundering, fake passports and precision planning, it is a wink to how far his empire extends internationally.
The Appearance of Prithviraj – More Than a Surprise
Director Prithviraj has an important cameo, and it’s not just fan service. His character brings vital narrative heft, and he plays a vital role in reversing momentum halfway through. The scene where he faces off Mohanlal is understated but pregnant with tension.
Changing the Role of Women - Empowerment Done Right
The female lead played by Manju Warrier in Empuraan is far more than just a love interest. Her arc switches from journalist to political strategist, going head to head with powerful men. It’s a nuanced, empowering performance.
The Flashback Fight Scene — Brutality Tied to Emotion
This scene takes place in a desert landscape and it’s not just action but loss. Mohanlal’s simmering rage, blood-spattered frames and muted colors render it emotionally weighty and unforgettable.
The Helicopter Ambush -Pure Fire!
Yes, this is the one that will drop your jaw to the floor. A mid-air ambush with guns blazing, tactical maneuvering and an explosion that’s almost art — this sequence could hold its own against any Hollywood action set piece. As the crash occurs, Mohanlal delivers a one-liner. Instant classic.
Corrupt officials, dirty deals and double-crossing advisers lend a sophistication rarely seen in Indian film. It feels almost too real.
The scene in the interrogation room-mind games galore
What begins as a standard interrogation soon devolves into a verbal game of chess. Mohanlal gets to deliver one of his more quotable monologues here. It is smarts coated in menace.
The Sound of Music – And Emotion -Defeats Technology
Just when you believe the movie is nothing but blood and steel, it softens, if only for a moment — with a reunion with an old ally who was assumed to be dead. It’s beautifully written and acted from the heart, reminding us that even emperors have feelings.
The Big Betrayal – A Twist That Nobody Expected
At the film’s climax, a trusted assistant betrays Khureshi. It’s shocking, savage and feels like a gut punch. The way it is revealed is pure storytelling gold.
The Ending Scene -A Setup for Chapter 3?
The ending of 12Empuraan is deliberately vague, yet it leaves the sequel open for a potential third installment. It’s subtle, stylish, and screams franchise as a mysterious figure watches Khureshi walk away from the shadows.
And as the sequel, 12Empuraan is not simply a follow up, but a multilayered, high-octane evolution of the universe “Lucifer” established. Mohanlal is at his best, and the supporting cast including Tovino Thomas, Indrajith and Manju Warrier lift the experience. Prithviraj’s direction is crisper, the writing is tauter, and the scale? It’s cinematic majesty at its best.
Whether your interest lies in action, drama, or political thrillers, Empuraan hits all the right notes. And with things like the helicopter ambush (#7!), it ensures that it will go down as one of 2025’s most iconic movies.
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