'Empuraan' will explore the backstory of Zayed Masood: Prithviraj Sukumaran

Prithviraj Sukumaran says Empuraan, the sequel to his blockbuster directorial debut Lucifer, will make fans wonder whether the Khureshi Ab'ram syndicate, led by Mohanlal's character after whom the nexus is named, is really that powerful or untouchable.

The actor's statement, needless to say, has further heightened the excitement surrounding the film, and the promos released so far indicate that writer Murali Gopy has expanded the canvas far beyond what we witnessed in the first film.

"In the first instalment of this franchise, Lucifer, we witnessed an infamous nexus that controls the global gold and diamond trade, the Khureshi-Ab'ram nexus. And Zayed Masood was introduced as the mercenary commando leading its hit group, or, rather, its hit force. And that was the only side of Zayed you saw in that film. But just like every character in this franchise, just like every character written by Murali Gopy, even Zayed has a past, a story. A world that was his own. What was that story? What was that world like? And how did Khureshi Ab'ram enter that world? You'll get a brief glimpse of all this in the second part of this franchise," said Prithviraj. 

The actor-filmmaker added that the story's complexity and scale deepen even further with more characters entering the mix. But despite all this, Prithviraj strongly believes that the film maintains a coherent narrative and hopes the viewers feel the same way. "In Lucifer, you were introduced to a complex world. A world filled with several characters and intriguing character dynamics unfolding between them. And this time, you'll witness even more settings and landscapes where the story unfolds." 

He also teased the possibility of the stakes being much bigger in Empuraan than in Lucifer, hinting at the appearance of a powerful force that could equal the Khureshi Ab'ram syndicate in terms of might. 

"When Lucifer ended, we were introduced to the Khureshi Ab'ram underworld mega syndicate. And it seemed like there was no force in the world strong enough to take them on. That was the belief we walked away with after watching the movie. But was it true? Or... was it a misplaced assumption?" he signs off, suggesting everyone look for the answer when the film hits theatres on March 27, exactly one month from now.

Aside from Prithviraj, Empuraan will see Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, and many others from Lucifer return, in addition to fresh characters.

A day earlier, the team introduced a new character played by actor Abhimanyu Singh, known for his roles in the Anurag Kashyap film Gulaal and Ram Gopal Varma's Rakth Charithra.