"I Have Cancer, Only Two Months Left": Malayalam Social Media Star 'Arattannan,' Reveals Battle With Multiple Myeloma

Popular Malayalam social media personality Santhosh Varkey, widely known by his nickname ‘Arattannan’, has made an emotional revelation on Facebook that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and serious form of blood cancer. The announcement was made by Varkey on October 3, 2025.

Santhosh, who rose to fame through his unique and often controversial film reviews, especially after his viral reaction to the Mohanlal-starrer Aaraattu, shared the news through a series of heartfelt posts. “My cancer is multiple myeloma. There’s no medicine for this. My father had the same disease. I don’t have any desire to live anymore,” Varkey wrote.

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is known to be incurable in many cases, although some patients respond to treatment for extended periods. Santhosh added that the disease runs in his family, as his father also suffered from the same condition.

He further claimed that in his case, doctors have told him he may only have two more months to live, if the disease progresses. “If it gets worse, I may not live beyond two months,” he wrote, without specifying which hospital diagnosed him or what tests confirmed the disease.

Santhosh Varkey is known in Malayalam social media circles for his bold and often polarizing videos, including his public opinions about celebrities, film reviews delivered from theatre entrances, and sometimes offensive statements.

He had even faced legal action and was briefly jailed in the past for making derogatory comments about women, including celebrities like Nithya Menen and Dr. Elizabeth, the ex-wife of singer Bala.

Despite—or perhaps because of—his controversial persona, Varkey gained a large following on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, in recent months, he had taken a step back from the limelight, remaining relatively inactive online.

Since his announcement, reactions on social media have been deeply divided. While many offered prayers and wishes for recovery, others questioned the authenticity of his claim.