Thiruvananthapuram: Actor Mammootty faced social media attack over allegation that his movie “Puzhu,’’ insulted the upper caste community, The Indian Express reported.
The controversy came after Sharshad Baniyandi, husband of Ratheena P T, the director of the movie, told an online media channel that, “The movie had insulted the upper caste community” two years after it was released.
Sharshad wondered if the actor had read the script alleging that one of the scriptwriters Harshad was an “extreme Islamist”.
As the controversy enveloped the actor, many including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal threw their weight behind him
Venugopal in a Facebook post questioned vested interests behind the row, adding that Mammotty cannot be confined to the compartments of a religion or caste.
Some attacked the actor referring to his birth name ‘ Muhammed Kutty’, and Venugopal criticized it saying secular society of Kerala will not support this propaganda.
“Mammootty is being Mohammed Kutty only in the contemptuous minds of those hate campaigners,” he was quoted as stating.
Education Minister V Sivankutty shared a photo of him with the actor saying that “Mammootty is Malayalees’ pride”.
Responding to the controversy, Revenue Minister K Rajan said, “the Sangh Parivar politics, which dubs Mammootty as Muhammed Kutty, director Kamal as Kamaludheen and actor Vijay as Vijay Joseph will not work in Kerala”.
KPCC president K Sudhakaran said attacking Mammootty in the name of religion will make Kerala ashamed before the world.
Meanwhile, Kerala Hindu Aikya Vedi spokesperson R V Babu said: 'The person who raised the allegation against Mammooty is a Leftist. Mammooty is also pursuing the same political line. Both belong to the same religion. People of Kerala have the right to know the truth behind the allegation that Mammooty had backed the attempt to create Hinduphobia. He should react to this issue.'