Javed Akhtar’s Powerful Take On Mammootty-Mohanlal Puja Controversy
Poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Mohanlal’s prayer offering for fellow Malayalam superstar Mammootty at Sabarimala. Akhtar took to social media to praise their decades-long friendship, stating, “I wish every Mammootty of India had a friend like Mohanlal and every Mohanlal had a friend like Mammootty. It is obvious that their great friendship is beyond the understanding of some small, narrow-minded, petty and negative people—but who cares.”
The Controversy Unfolds
The controversy erupted after Mohanlal, who visited Sabarimala on 18 March, performed a “Usha puja” in Mammootty’s name, following reports of the actor’s ill health. The receipt for the ritual, issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board, mentioned Mammootty’s birth name, Muhammed Kutty, and his birth star, Vishakham.
While many hailed this as a gesture of communal harmony, others questioned the religious implications, arguing that a Muslim should not have Hindu prayers conducted on their behalf. O Abdullah, an influencer and former editor of Madhyamam newspaper, went as far as to demand an apology from Mammootty if he had requested the puja, citing Islamic principles that forbid prayers to any entity other than Allah.
Mohanlal’s Response
Mohanlal, currently promoting L2: Empuraan, dismissed the controversy, stating that prayers are deeply personal and that he included Mammootty’s name in the ritual along with his own family’s. Speaking to NDTV, he said, “Fortunately, or unfortunately, it came out.”
Filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, who was present during the interview, echoed this sentiment, noting that such gestures of goodwill between the two actors were not new. “This time, it made it to the news,” he added.
Addressing their friendship, Mohanlal emphasised that his bond with Mammootty goes beyond professional rivalry. “We have done over 50 films together. We used to meet every week and have phone calls every two or three days. We are really good friends,” he said.
The Devaswom Board’s Clarification
The leaked receipt fuelled speculation over whether it was intentionally made public. At a Chennai event, Mohanlal suggested that an official from the Travancore Devaswom Board might have leaked it. However, the board swiftly denied any wrongdoing, stating that the leaked receipt was from the devotee’s copy, and no lapse had occurred on their part.
Health Rumours and Clarifications
Mammootty’s health became a major talking point amid the puja controversy, with some reports falsely claiming that the veteran actor had been diagnosed with cancer. However, his team categorically dismissed these rumours, calling them “fake news.” They clarified to Mid-Day that Mammootty was merely on a break for Ramzan, fasting, and had put his shooting schedule on hold for the time being.
