Actor Asif Ali is facing sharp criticism on social media over a public statement he made while addressing the death of fellow actor and longtime colleague Kalabhavan Navas. Navas passed away suddenly due to a heart attack on Friday, and his death has left the Malayalam film community and audiences in mourning. At a recent public event, Asif took a moment to speak about Navas, recalling their recent time together on the sets of the upcoming biggie Tiki Taka. However, what was meant to be a reflection on life’s uncertainty has sparked outrage for its tone and perceived insensitivity. The actor is being getting called out on social media for allegedly turning Navas' death into a motivational anecdote.
In a video clip that has since gone viral, Asif said: “I don’t know if I can say this here. Kalabhavan Navas, who was a colleague and a close friend of ours, passed away last night. It was very shocking. What we learn from such things is that we don’t know what is going to happen next in our lives. We were together in a shooting location for many days recently. When he said goodbye to us and left, I didn’t know that I wouldn’t be seeing him again. So life is that uncertain. So there’s only one thing we can do. We should make the best use of our time!” It was the final sentence, delivered with noticeable enthusiasm, that many viewers found jarring, especially in the immediate aftermath of a colleague’s death.
“He didn’t even offer a proper condolence. What was that motivational ending for?” one comment read on social media. Another user wrote, “We were shocked by Navas’s passing. Asif worked with him recently, and yet this is how he chooses to speak about it?” While some defended the Kishkindha Kaandam actor’s intent as a personal reflection on impermanence, the majority felt the tone was off and the moment poorly chosen. He is yet to respond to the backlash.
