Empuraan Teaser Breakdown
The Teaser of much-anticipated sequel to Lucifer (2019), L2 : Empuraan (2025), directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, promises to delve deeper into the dark, intricate world established in the first film. As the teaser unfolds, it teases a gripping narrative that spans global conflicts, mysterious alliances, and hidden identities. With Mohanlal reprising his iconic role as Stephen Nedumpally /Ab’ram, and a host of intriguing subplots involving international cartels, political conspiracies, and personal vendettas, Empuraan is set to elevate the franchise to unprecedented levels. Packed with symbolism, theories, and connections to real-world events, this film looks ready to cement its place as a milestone in Indian cinema.
Qaraqosh – The Ghost City
The teaser begins and primarily unfolds in Qaraqosh, Northern Iraq. In real life, this town faced devastation in 2014 when ISIS invaded, forcing its predominantly Christian population to flee. Qaraqosh became a ghost town. However, after the Battle of Mosul in 2016, Iraqi government forces reclaimed the region, and many residents returned to rebuild their lives.
Since the scene in teaser depicts Qaraqosh as a ghost town, it likely takes place sometime between 2014 and 2016.
Caroline Koziol’s character, leading the armed forces, arrives here to target the Kabuga Cartel and the Khureshi-Ab’ram Nexus. The Kabuga reference rings a bell from Lucifer’s ending, where it was briefly mentioned.
Kabuga: A Historical Context
Félicien Kabuga was a businessman from Rwanda known for funding and influencing the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, which resulted in nearly 800,000 deaths. Kabuga provided weapons to the attackers and operated a hate propaganda radio station. Despite his atrocities, Kabuga evaded capture for 26 years, living under false identities across multiple countries before being arrested in 2020.
Khureshi-Ab’ram Nexus
The subtitle in teaser for this dialogue interestingly features a hyphen ( – ) between “Khureshi” and “Ab’ram,” suggesting that this is not one person but rather two individuals. This theory has gained traction across social media platforms.
A newspaper article from Lucifer (2019) movie’s opening scene subtly hinted at this Nexus. Even in Lucifer’s ending, the phrase “Ab’ram, Khureshi-Ab’ram” was spoken. At the time, it seemed like a stylistic statement akin to “Bond, James Bond,” but now, with these new discussions, suspicions are rising.
The word Nexus (meaning a connection or link) implies that Khureshi and Ab’ram might be leaders of two different gangs, brought together under a larger alliance.
Mammootty as Khureshi?
A prominent theory circulating online suggests that Mammootty might play the role of Khureshi. Murali Gopy’s birthday post for Mammootty, and Prithviraj’s comment on it, have fueled speculations. There were even earlier rumors that Mammootty would appear in the ending of Lucifer 2 and play a significant role throughout L3. As of now, this remains unconfirmed, but fans are eager to see where it leads.
The Mystery of the A.A. Letters
Since the title announcement, the two red A.A. letters in Empuraan have sparked curiosity.
The A∴A∴ (Argenteum Astrum), meaning Silver Star, is a real-life mystical organization founded by Aleister Crowley in 1907. This group conducted ceremonies aimed at perfecting individuals to elevate humanity. Its philosophies and practices drew connections to Eastern cultures like Vedantic Yoga and Elder Buddhism. While there’s no direct link to this organization in the teaser, the double A might symbolize two individuals – possibly Khureshi and Ab’ram. The blood-soaked letters on the teaser poster add an air of menace and mystery.
The Villains in Empuraan
The teaser has yet to reveal the main villain, but there are subtle hints.
- In earlier discussions, the Yakuza Dragon symbol seen on a poster sparked speculation about its relevance. This symbol was also spotted on Bobby’s lighter in Lucifer, hinting at a potential Yakuza gang involved in the story.
- One ominous teaser shot shows a JCB surrounded by jeeps at night. This could signify a villainous group arriving in Kerala to destroy a political office or disrupt Stephen’s life. Theories suggest that Jathin Ramdas might die in this conflict, as his portrayal as Jesus in Lucifer aligns with such a narrative arc.
The Return of Stephen Nedumpally
There’s a poignant scene where Priyadarshini walks through a crowd, potentially tied to elections. Another visual shows her standing in front of a burning tree, a symbol of loss or transformation. This tree might connect to the orphanage seen in Lucifer. Later, we see a child holding Stephen’s hand – possibly tying back to the same orphanage storyline. I guess Priyadarshini and Jathin are the faintly visible characters in the background of this shot.
The teaser suggests that Ab’ram returns to Kerala to protect his family, eventually transitioning back to his Stephen persona. The 666-number plate car, seen abandoned in a garage, but later someone uncovers it, connects to this narrative shift.
Sayed Masood’s Backstory
Prithviraj’s Sayed Masood will finally get a detailed backstory in Empuraan. When Karthikeya Dev (the younger actor in Salaar) cast in the movie, fans speculated that his journey as the younger Sayed would be explored in Empuraan. The teaser includes a scene with Young Sayed holding a baby amidst a fiery backdrop.
The focus may lean more on how Sayed became Abraam’s right-hand man, rather than how Stephen became Ab’ram.
Missing Gunshot Scene
Some fans pointed out there is some missing in Ab’ram’s gunshot from the teaser. At the launch event, Prithviraj clarified that not all exact teaser shots will make it to the final cut. A different shot of the same scene appeared in the poster released alongside the teaser, reinforcing this claim.
Conclusion
The teaser balances nostalgia, intrigue, and action, leaving fans dissecting every frame for clues. Whether it’s the enigmatic Khureshi-Ab’ram Nexus, the emotional weight of Stephen’s family, or Sayed Masood’s evolution, Empuraan promises a layered narrative that expands upon Lucifer’s universe. The journey from Stephen to Ab’ram – and the secrets in between is what will keep fans hooked until the release.
L2 EMPURAAN will release on March 27, 2025