Mammootty faces online criticism over visit to BJP leader's home

Thrissur: Keralam BJP vice-president B Gopalakrishnan on Monday condemned social media posts criticising actor Mammootty for visiting his home in Thrissur district. Senior CPI(M) leader and former Keralam finance minister Thomas Isaac said those behind the criticism did not represent his party, according to reports.

Mammootty visited Gopalakrishnan's home on Sunday to congratulate his daughter and son-in-law on their wedding, which he could not attend at Guruvayur on November 1. Videos of the visit circulated on social media, drawing criticism from some users.

Gopalakrishnan said friendships across political and religious lines should be encouraged. Several political leaders, including former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had attended the wedding.

Meanwhile, Isaac said the people criticising Mammootty were not CPI(M) activists. He added that the party communicated its positions through its leaders and official social media accounts, and that Mammootty shared close ties with the Left. The party wanted that relationship to continue, he said.

Mammootty, 75, has appeared in more than 400 films across several Indian languages during a career spanning over five decades. He received his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor in September 2026 for his performance in Bramayugam, sharing the honour with Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998 and the Padma Bhushan in June 2026.