Chennai, April 4 ,2025
Amid the ongoing controversies surrounding the Malayalam film Empuraan, starring superstar Mohanlal, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is conducting raids at multiple premises linked to the film’s producer, Gokulam Gopalan.
The raids are currently underway at the headquarters of Gokulam Chits and Finance in Kodambakkam, Chennai.
According to sources within the ED, two teams—comprising officials from the Kochi and Chennai units—are involved in the operations.
Officials revealed that these raids are a follow-up to earlier investigations into alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), reportedly amounting to over Rs 1,000 crore.
In addition to the company headquarters, searches are also being conducted at Gokulam Gopalan’s residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, his hotel ‘Gokulam Grand’ in Kozhikode, and the Gokulam Mall.
The raids have triggered political responses, with CPI(M) Kerala leader and Left Front convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan calling the move an act of “political vendetta.” Speaking to the media in Madurai during the CPI(M) party congress, Ramakrishnan alleged that the raids are linked to the production of Empuraan, a film that drew criticism from right-wing groups, including the Sangh Parivar.
The controversy stems from the film’s depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots and its portrayal of central investigative agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and ED in a negative light.
The RSS-mouthpiece Organiser had earlier published a scathing critique of the film, accusing it of spreading misinformation.
Following the backlash, the producers—including Gopalam—approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to request a voluntary re-edit of the film.
Mohanlal, the lead actor, also issued a public apology on Facebook, expressing regret for the “emotional distress” caused by certain scenes.
“I understand that some socio-political themes in Empuraan, the sequel to the Lucifer franchise, have caused mental distress among viewers,” Mohanlal wrote.
“As an artist, I have a responsibility to ensure that none of my films promote hatred against any political, ideological, or religious group. We, the Empuraan team, sincerely regret the distress caused and have decided to remove the objectionable content.”
The film, directed by actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, released on March 28 and initially enjoyed a strong box office opening. However, the political backlash was swift. BJP Kerala President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar publicly denounced the film, stating he would not watch it due to its “distortion of facts.”
Prominent RSS leaders, including J. Nandakumar and A. Jayakumar, also took to social media to voice their disapproval, while several RSS-affiliated digital platforms in Kerala amplified the criticism.
Despite its commercial success, Empuraan remains mired in controversy over its political messaging and portrayal of national agencies, with the ED’s raids adding a fresh layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
