Malayalam cinema is witnessing a moment of glory as L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, continues its unstoppable run at the Middle East box office. In a remarkable feat, the film has crossed 500,000 ticket admissions in the UAE alone—an elite milestone previously achieved only by S.S. Rajamouli and Prabhas’ Baahubali 2, the magnum opus that redefined the reach of South Indian cinema.
According to official figures by Forum Reelz, Empuraan has raked in a staggering $6.167 million from the UAE market alone with 501,086 admissions. The numbers speak volumes of the film’s appeal among the expatriate Indian audience, particularly the Malayali diaspora who have turned out in massive numbers to support the second installment in the Lucifer franchise.
Beyond the UAE, the film has also posted impressive numbers in other Middle Eastern territories. In Saudi Arabia, it collected $1.062 million with 83,748 admits, while the rest of the GCC contributed $2.137 million from 238,326 admissions. In total, Empuraan has earned $9.43 million (Rs 80.72 crore) in 11 days across the Middle East, cementing its place as one of the biggest single-language South Indian blockbusters in the region.In India the film has just crossed Rs 100 crore mark making it only the second Malayalam film to do so- first being Manjummel Boys.
What makes this achievement even more special is that Empuraan is a Malayalam-language film—proving that content-driven cinema, when executed well, transcends language barriers. The high-octane political thriller has struck a chord not just with Mohanlal fans but also with wider audiences, thanks to its gripping narrative, sleek execution, and powerful performances.
With over half a million admissions in the UAE, Empuraan now finds itself in the rarest of company, standing next to Baahubali 2 in terms of audience pull in the region. This is a proud moment for Malayalam cinema and a strong indicator of the global appeal South Indian films are rapidly gaining. As Empuraan continues its theatrical run, industry eyes are now on its performance in other international markets, where it is already showing promising signs.
