A controversy has arisen after superstar Mohanlal offered prayers at Sabarimala for Malayalam star Mammootty earlier this month. Critics have pointed out that Mammootty is a Muslim and argued that he must apologize if the ‘puja’ (ritual) was conducted at his request. Mohanlal has since clarified his stance, stating that prayers are a personal matter and that the puja was performed after reports surfaced about Mammootty’s ill health.
Mohanlal, who has been promoting his upcoming movie L2: Empuraan, visited Sabarimala on March 18 to offer prayers. During the "Usha puja," he handed a note to the priest that included Mammootty’s birth name, Muhammed Kutty, and his birth star, ‘Vishakham.’ A receipt issued by the Devaswom office mentioning these details went viral on social media. While some users praised it as an example of communal harmony, others criticized it, noting that Mammootty is a Muslim and that Hindu prayers conflict with Islamic beliefs.
O Abdullah, an influencer and former editor of the Madhyamam newspaper, called on Mammootty to apologize if he had indeed requested Mohanlal to perform the prayers on his behalf. Abdullah cited Islamic laws, stating that only Allah should be prayed to by those who follow the Islamic faith.
Mohanlal, who shares a close bond with Mammootty despite their professional rivalry, dismissed the controversy at an event in Chennai. He emphasized that they are like brothers and that prayers are a personal matter, asking, "What’s wrong in praying for him?" He also clarified that he had offered the prayers after Mammootty experienced a minor health issue. Mohanlal shared that Mammootty was recovering well and there was no cause for concern.
When questioned about how the receipt was leaked, Mohanlal suggested it could have been done by an official of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala. However, the Travancore board denied this, stating that Mohanlal’s comments had caused a misunderstanding and that their officials were not at fault. On Tuesday, the board clarified that the leaked receipt was from the devotee’s copy and that there was no lapse on their part.
Meanwhile, the health scare led to rumors that Mammootty had been diagnosed with cancer, but his team quickly dismissed these claims as "fake news." According to reports, his team told Mid-Day that Mammootty was on a break for Ramadan, fasting, and that his shooting schedule had been temporarily put on hold.
Stay updated with the latest news by visiting ZTC News and ZNews Today. Explore in-depth stories, breaking updates, and more!