Malayalam cinema superstar Mammoottyfinds himself embroiled in controversy once again, this time over his portrayal in the 2022 film Puzhu.
Despite his celebrated career spanning decades, Mammootty's role in the 2022 film has sparked fierce debate online, with some netizens accusing the film of being anti-Brahmanical and propagandist in nature and insulting the upper-caste Hindu community.
Puzhu, directed by debutant Ratheena, explores the complex dynamics of caste and identity in contemporary Kerala. The film follows the story of an upper-caste Brahmin family whose lives are disrupted when their daughter elopes with a man from a lower caste. Mammootty essays the role of the patriarch, whose traditional beliefs are challenged as he confronts the realities of caste discrimination and societal prejudices.
The backlash gained momentum after director Ratheena’s husband, Sharshad Baniyandi, said in a recent interview that Puzhu aimed to insult the upper-caste Hindu community.
Baniyandi questioned Mammootty’s decision to take up the project and asked if the actor had read the script before doing so. He also claimed that one of the scriptwriters of the film, Harsha, was an “extreme Islamist”.
Right-wing online trolls were quick to target the actor and even went on to address him by his original name, Mohammed Kutty and some also called for a boycott of his upcoming films.
However, many fans, politicians, and people from various backgrounds have come out in support of the actor.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended Mammootty and stated on Facebook that such attacks wouldn’t work and called Mammootty a pride of Kerala.
Minister A K Rajan criticized the right-wing attacks and said such attacks have a history of targeting actors with communal narratives.
He said Mammootty is “the pride of Malayalees, and he will always remain so”.
“The Sangh politics of calling Mammootty Muhammad Kutty, Director Kamal as Kamaluddin, and Vijay as Joseph Vijay is useless here. This is Kerala,” he said.
Mammootty has not yet responded to the controversy.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.