L2E: Empuraan

, the highly anticipated sequel to

Lucifer

, is already setting new records in the Malayalam film industry. With just nine days left for its grand premiere, the advance ticket sales in North America have reached an impressive milestone, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam premiere ever in the region.

As of now, Empuraan has amassed around US $32,000 from 9 locations across 26 shows, selling nearly 1500 tickets in the USA alone. This strong start is a testament to the massive hype surrounding the film. The total North American premiere advance sales have already hit $125,000, and with over a week left before the premiere, the numbers are expected to surge even higher.
The Empuraan frenzy has taken over social media, with fans eagerly anticipating the return of Mohanlal as

Stephen Nedumpally

. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film is expected to be a high-octane action thriller with a gripping storyline, picking up from where Lucifer left off. The first installment of the franchise was a box office juggernaut, and Empuraan seems poised to surpass all expectations.

Over the past few years, Telugu Cinema and Hindi Cinema have dominated the North American markets. Could 'L2E' be the start of a new chapter in the biggest market for Indian films outside of India? Only time will tell. The growing popularity of Indian films in the region has encouraged filmmakers to expand their global appeal, but sustainability remains a challenge. Also, Telugu films haven’t always been successful for distributors in the region due to their high acquisition costs. For example, Allu Arjun’s '

Pushpa 2

: The Rule' had a breakeven point of US $15 million and barely managed to cross that figure in its final tally. Even Ram Charan’s '

Game Changer

' had its breakeven set at US $5 million, but the film ended up facing a loss of nearly US $2 million. The only recent exception was 'Sankranthiki Vasthunam' starring Venkatesh, which not only broke even but also generated profits for all involved. With evolving audience preferences and rising production costs, the dynamics of success in North America continue to shift.
With record-breaking pre-sales and immense anticipation, Empuraan is undoubtedly one of the biggest Indian films of 2025. As the premiere date nears, all eyes are on how high the numbers will climb and whether the film will rewrite history for Malayalam cinema worldwide!