Will Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s L2: Empuraan surpass the Hindi box office record of Unni Mukundan’s Marco?

Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan has been setting the box office on fire, emerging as a record-breaking success in Malayalam cinema. However, in the Hindi belt, the film has seen a relatively muted response, primarily due to its limited release. While the film has managed to become one of the biggest money-spinners for a Malayalam movie in Hindi, the question remains—can L2: Empuraan surpass the record set by Unni Mukundan’s Marco?
Unlike its phenomenal run in Kerala and overseas, L2: Empuraan has had a slow start in the Hindi market. In its first seven days, the film has collected just Rs 1.9 crore from Hindi screenings. While this number may not seem huge compared to mainstream Bollywood releases, it is still a significant achievement for a Malayalam film in the Hindi circuit.
One of the major challenges L2: Empuraan faces in Hindi is its limited number of shows. In Mumbai, for instance, the film is averaging around 35 shows per day for the upcoming weekend, restricting its reach among Hindi-speaking audiences.
Unni Mukundan’s Marco had an underwhelming first week in Hindi, collecting just Rs 28 lakh. However, the action thriller gained momentum in its second week, witnessing an unprecedented surge at the box office where it collected Rs 4.6 crore in the second week. By the end of its theatrical run, Marco had raked in an Rs 12.81 crore crore from its Hindi release—a record for a Malayalam film.
For L2: Empuraan to beat Marco, it needs strong word-of-mouth and an increase in show counts across major Hindi-speaking markets. If the film sees an expansion in screens and sustained audience interest, it has a chance to surpass the Rs 13 crore benchmark.
Empuraan recently underwent 24 cuts after it faced backlash from certain corners where it was alleged that the film was pushing anti-Hindu agenda. Mohanlal took to social media to apologize for it.