Mohanlal's apology amid L2 row: 'I have learned that…'

Amid a backlash against his newly released film L2: Empuraan on right-wing social media handles over its portrayal of alleged right-wing politics and covert references to the Gujarat riots, actor Mohanlal has expressed regret for "causing emotional distress" among a section of his fans and announced that the film's makers will remove such scenes. The statement by the veteran Malayalam actor comes a day after it was reported that the film's makers have voluntarily agreed to make several changes, including muting some dialogues. In a Facebook post, Mohanlal wrote, "I have learned that some of the political and social themes incorporated into the film Empuraan, the second installment in the Lucifer franchise, have caused great emotional distress among a section of people who love me. The actor said that he has spent his film career being "one among you" for the past four decades, and that his strength lies in the "love and belief" that people show toward him.