Recently, we reported about a controversy following Mammootty's visit to the Wayanad Township project. During his visit, the legendary actor asked CPI(M)'s Wayanad District Secretary K Rafeeq to move away from him so as to ensure that he was not representing any party there. He said, "Won't people think that I am here because of you (CPI(M)) if you keep following me?" However, the actor faced much online vitriol, especially from supporters of CPI(M), for the way in which he put the message across.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan supported Mammootty amidst the row and even apologised to him for it. Calling the township an ideal project, the CM said that the actor only had good intentions behind his visit and that he did not inform the government or any political party about it. "He wanted to go there on his own, like many others. Why has it been turned into a controversy? If Kerala and Malayalam cinema's great actor had any mental difficulty due to it, I would like to convey my apologies to him," the CM said in a recent public event.
Reportedly, Mammootty has contacted Rafeeq after the clip featuring their interaction went viral and told the politician that he did not mean any disrespect by his actions and did not consider the possibility of a controversy while making a comment in private.
Despite the clarification and latest CM's statement, a section of the population, including the politically neutral audience, continues to criticise the actor for his recent conduct. According to them, it was not fair on Mammootty's part to disrespect a well-respected public figure such as Rafeeq. Some argue that Rafeeq was even more entitled to be part of the township event than Mammootty for his work behind the project.
On the work front, the legendary actor will next be seen in Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot, co-starring Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, and Nayanthara, among others.
