ED Raids Film Producer Gokulam Gopalan Over FEMA Violations Amid Rising Political Heat Around ‘Empuraan'

Daily Tribune

04-04-2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches at multiple locations linked to prominent film producer and businessman Gokulam Gopalan, including offices in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) involving over Rs10 billion.
Gopalan, a key financier behind the much-anticipated Malayalam political thriller L2: Empuraan, is also the chairman of the Sree Gokulam Group, which runs the Sree Gokulam Chit and Finance Company. Sources indicate that the ongoing investigation revolves around irregularities in foreign exchange transactions managed by the financial arm of the group.
While ED officials have maintained that the searches are part of a routine financial scrutiny, the raids have triggered sharp speculation in the film industry and political circles, given their timing and Gopalan's connection to a film increasingly seen as politically sensitive.
Rising Political Tensions Over Empuraan
Empuraan, the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, is directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and stars Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. The film has recently found itself at the centre of online backlash, with right-wing commentators and fringe groups accusing it of promoting anti-Hindu narratives. Leaked discussions and speculative posts have suggested that the film's storyline could be critical of majoritarian politics and religious power structures—an accusation that has stirred calls for boycotts and heightened scrutiny.
Its predecessor, Lucifer, used stylised storytelling to explore themes of political manipulation and ideological power. Industry insiders suggest that Empuraan may push those themes further, potentially treading into controversial territory.
Creative Freedom Under Watch?
The raids on Gopalan's offices come amid a broader trend in India where filmmakers and artists dealing with politically charged content face increasing regulatory and social pressure. In recent years, several productions critical of government narratives have encountered hurdles ranging from tax audits to censorship and online abuse.
Though there is no official confirmation linking the ED action to Empuraan 's content, many in the film fraternity believe the message is implicit. 'This feels less like a coincidence and more like a warning,' one senior filmmaker said on condition of anonymity.
As of now, Gokulam Gopalan has not issued a public statement regarding the ED investigation. However, with Empuraan still in production and public interest steadily rising, all eyes will be on how this probe unfolds—and whether the film's release may face further roadblocks.
What's Next?
With no charges filed yet and the investigation still in early stages, the coming weeks will be crucial. Meanwhile, the film's creators and supporters hope the legal storm doesn't overshadow the creative work they've put into one of Malayalam cinema's most anticipated projects.