The politicians of the Left and Congress party in Kerala have come to the support of Malayalam superstar Mammootty against online trolling by some right-wingers over one of his movies released two years ago.
Some posts on social media platforms have ignited controversy around Puzhu, a 2022 film which they contend is “anti-Brahmanical”.
Some even used his birth name “Muhammed Kutty” to critique the national award-winning actor in relation to this debut psychological drama directed by Ratheena P.T.
A row broke out because of recent interview given by husband of this woman director to an online channel where he claimed that a particular community was against the movie and criticised Mammootty for doing it.
Several persons among them Ministers V. Sivankutty and K. Rajan from Kerala and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal rubbished away the social media campaign against legendary actor Mammootty.
The senior CPI(M) leader who also serves as General Education Minister Mr. V Sivankutty put up a with him photo with the actor who has won three National Awards among many other recognitions on his Facebook page.
According to his post in Facebook, “Mammootty is pride of Malayalees”.
He describes Mammootty as Pride of Kerala and Malayalees.”
“This is Kerala,” he pointed at those behind the campaign, alleging that such propaganda emanates from Sangh Parivar politics.
In another similar but prior campaign enacted against famous filmmaker Kamal, minister said: “the Sanghi politics calling Mammootty as Mohammed Kutty, Kamal as Kamaluddin and Vijay as Joseph Vijay will not reap any result here.”
Mr Venugopal echoed these views saying that people would not be swayed by such propaganda in a secular society like ours.
No matter how these people try so hard branding someone with clear political ideas but still able to act, the people of this State would not support them.
‘Vested interests’
The Congress leader in a Facebook post further said that it is the responsibility of Kerala society to take care of the actor without being influenced by ‘poisonous’ hate campaigns.
“Mammootty is being Mohammed Kutty only in the contemptuous minds of those hate campaigners,” said the leader.
He has yet to respond to the controversy.
