Actor Mammootty is in the centre of a fresh controversy as a video from his recent appearance at the Wayanad Township surfaced online. In the video, the actor can be heard telling CPI(M)'s Wayanad District Secretary K Rafeeq, "Won't people think that I am here because of you (CPI(M)) if you keep following me?" He essentially told the CPI(M) member to move away from him.
The actor's comments caused some outrage on the internet, with many netizens calling him out for his apparent lack of respect for a fellow human. Meanwhile, reports say that Mammootty has called Rafeeq over phone and clarified his recent comments to him. In the call, the actor reportedly told Rafeeq that he did not mean to disrespect him and that his comments were made in private, without thinking about whether it would court controversy.
According to reports, Mammootty also requested that his visit to the new township at the flood-affected area to be kept a secret, without any media coverage. Meanwhile, netizens, mostly those with Left Wing affiliations, have been criticising the actor for his comments. According to them, the actor showed indecency, not knowing how to treat others with respect, and Rafeeq visited the place to welcome MA Baby, the party general secretary and not to accompany the actor everywhere he goes. For them, Rafeeq has been at the front and centre of the flood relief and rescue efforts.
At the same time, the actor also receives praise for his democratic views about the township. When asked about it, he said that the township was constructed with people's funds and hence belongs to them. "What we see here is the social capital of Kerala. This is the greatest example of that," the actor said about the township. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised Mammootty and called his visit to the township an 'inspiration' to its residents, looking to build new lives with plenty of aspirations.
On the work front, the legendary actor will next be seen in Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot, co-starring Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and Kunchacko Boban, among others. The film is scheduled for an April 23 release in theatres.
