Remake Review Series #1: Lucifer vs Godfather – Mohanlal or Chiranjeevi, Who Did It Better?
Movies with powerful stories tend to stay in our hearts—and often get remade for a new generation. This is the first post in our Remake Review Series, where we compare original films and their remakes. In this post, we review Lucifer (2019, Malayalam) and its Telugu remake Godfather (2022), led by two megastars: Mohanlal and Chiranjeevi
💡 Story Synopsis
Lucifer (2019)
Set in Kerala’s political underbelly, the film follows Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal), who steps into the power void left by a deceased supremo. He tackles political scheming and corruption, unveiling deeper conspiracies. The narrative builds suspense until a dramatic second-act power reveal.
Godfather (2022)
In the Telugu adaptation, MLA Reddy’s passing gives way to Shankar Narayana (Chiranjeevi) stepping in. The screenplay is tighter and more mass‑appealing; action scenes and emotional arcs are enhanced to match Telugu sensibilities. Salman Khan appears in a cameo climax sequence.
📊 Performance & Reception
Lucifer
- Blockbuster hit: ₹129 Cr gross on a ₹30 Cr budget—132 % ROI
- Acclaimed direction, Mohanlal’s screen charisma, ensemble cast praised
Godfather
- Big-budget Telugu remake: ₹108.5 Cr gross on ₹100 Cr budget — modest returns
- Mixed reviews: praised for its mass appeal and tighter screenplay, criticized for lacking the original’s nuance
- Fans compared Mohanlal and Chiranjeevi’s performances intensely
Social Media Buzz:
“Chiranjeevi Outperforms Lucifer But Mohanlal Can’t Do Godfather” – r/MalayalamMovies
✅ Verdict Table
| Aspect | Lucifer | Godfather |
|---|---|---|
| Storytelling | Slow‑burn political suspense | Snappier, mass‑appeal style |
| Lead Performance | Mohanlal’s commanding presence | Chiranjeevi’s larger‑than‑life energy |
| Supporting Cast | Top-tier ensemble | Salman Khan cameo adds glitz |
| Emotional Impact | Strong, layered storytelling | Emotional beats amplified for mainstream |
| Commercial Success | Clear blockbuster | Moderate hit—less profitable than original |
| Cultural Adaptation | Deeply rooted in Keralite politics | Designed for Telugu sensibilities |
🎬 Info Table
| Field | Lucifer (Original) | Godfather (Remake) |
|---|---|---|
| Year of Release | 2019 | 2022 |
| Director | Prithviraj Sukumaran | Mohan Raja |
| Actor (Lead) | Mohanlal | Chiranjeevi |
| Actor (Supporting) | Vivek Oberoi, Manju Warrier | Salman Khan (cameo), Satya Dev |
| Actress | Others (ensemble) | Nayanthara |
| Budget / Cost | ₹30 Cr | ₹100 Cr |
| Worldwide Earnings | ₹129 Cr | ₹108.5 Cr |
| Industry | Malayalam (Mollywood) | Telugu (Tollywood) |
| IMDb Rating | 7.5/10 | ~6.0 (mixed user reviews) |
| Google Rating | ~4.0/5 (audience & critics) | ~3.0–3.5/5 (mixed opinions) |
🌍 Other Remake Context
- Lucifer kicked off a planned trilogy: L2: Empuraan released March 2025; L3 in development
- Chiranjeevi acknowledged missing elements in Lucifer, and Godfather added mass‑friendly revisions
🔁 Whether you prefer the subtle political suspense of Lucifer or the action-packed mass appeal of Godfather, remakes remind us how good stories can evolve.
📌 Want more remake reviews like this? Follow our Remake Review Series and share your thoughts in the comments below!