Mohanlal's Mega 2025: L2 Empuraan & Thudarum Rewrite Box Office History, Selling Over 7 Million Tickets

In the first half of 2025, when cinema halls saw a steady rush of fans, one name stood tall above all—Mohanlal. The Malayalam superstar once again proved his unbeatable charm and box office strength. His two major releases, L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, sold a combined total of over 7 million tickets. That too, just from digital ticketing platforms. In a year driven by crowd pullers, this remarkable figure shows how stardom backed by strong storytelling can truly win over audiences.

Today, the movie business isn’t just about big posters and TV ads. It’s also about how fans respond online. Platforms like social media, discussion apps, and movie review forums have become powerful tools in promoting films. They capture the pulse of the people. Early reactions, reviews, and fan comments play a huge role in determining a movie’s success. L2: Empuraan, being the much-awaited sequel to Lucifer, had excitement built in. Meanwhile, Thudarum caught fire thanks to its strong emotional storyline and the evergreen pairing of Mohanlal with Shobana.

Across India, especially in metro cities and even smaller towns, digital bookings shot up during weekends and holidays. Many online reviews created a domino effect. As fans saw good reviews and engaging posts, they rushed to book tickets. Single screens and multiplexes alike reported housefull shows. For Mohanlal fans, it became more than just watching a film—it was a celebration.

L2: Empuraan had a grand scale and was set in the Lucifer universe. It came with massive expectations and didn’t disappoint. It had the highest ticket sales in Kerala and nearly matched the benchmark set by Manjummel Boys, which sold around 4.3 million tickets. Its early momentum came from the franchise's loyal fanbase. On the other hand, Thudarum took the steady route. It started slow but picked up speed after strong word-of-mouth buzz. The reviews praised its emotional depth, realistic setting, and Mohanlal’s intense performance.

Mohanlal’s ability to connect with fans—across generations—is clear in these numbers. For many, booking a ticket for a Mohanlal film is not just a plan—it’s an emotion. The 7 million ticket milestone shows how his pull at the box office remains unmatched. “All said and done, with offline tickets added up, Mohanlal is just doing what an entertainer should do. Selling tickets!” That’s how one trade insider summed it up.

However, L2: Empuraan didn’t sail entirely smoothly. The film stirred a major controversy online, mainly for a few scenes that allegedly referenced the 2002 Gujarat riots. It led to heated debates on social media. In response to the backlash, the makers removed 17 scenes from the final cut. Despite this hiccup, the movie continued to dominate conversations and viewership.

Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan is now streaming on JioHotstar. The political action drama is available in multiple languages—Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. It features Mohanlal in his iconic role as Khureshi-Ab’raam, alongside an impressive cast including Prithviraj, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Indrajith Sukumaran. Produced by Lyca Productions, Aashirvad Cinemas, and Sree Gokulam Movies, it continues to gain views even after its theatrical run.

Thudarum, directed by Tharun Moorthy, offers a different flavour. It doesn’t rely on typical star power elements. Instead, it tells the story of Benz Shanmugham—a middle-aged cab driver with a loyal black Ambassador car and an even deeper love for his family. Mohanlal gives one of his most grounded performances, free from dramatic punchlines and slow-motion entries. It’s a story of injustice, loss, and quiet strength, all wrapped in a slow-burning thriller format.

The second half of Thudarum builds into a tense chase for justice. It features morally complex police characters played by Binu Pappu and Prakash Varma. What sets this film apart is its realism. The domestic scenes feel lived in, and the drama comes from emotional stakes, not loud action. The audience slowly sinks into the world, making the twists more impactful.

With two distinct yet powerful films in the first half of 2025, Mohanlal has once again shown that content backed by real performances can still move the masses. His success proves that when the right story meets the right star, people don’t just watch—they show up in millions.