Actor Mammootty faces online abuse for visiting BJP leader in Thrissur

Malayalam film actor Mammootty faced severe online attacks after visiting the home of BJP leader B. Gopalakrishnan in Thrissur on Sunday. The actor went to the residence to bless the leader's daughter on her marriage, as he could not attend the wedding held on November 1, 2026. The backlash began after videos showed the actor being welcomed by Mr. Gopalakrishnan and his family members online.

Reactions

Criticism arose that the online attacks originated from social media handles linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). However, CPI(M) leader T. M. Thomas Isaac distanced the party from the controversy, stating the party has its own handles and maintains a cordial relationship with the actor. Mr. Gopalakrishnan on Monday condemned the abuse directed at the actor, suggesting the attacks may not have come from genuine party workers but from divisive elements with personal agendas. He noted that leaders like Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan had attended his daughter's wedding, adding that personal bonds should not be judged through political affiliations.

Past Incidents

Mr. Mammootty faced prior targeting earlier this year when a video showed him telling CPI(M) Wayanad district secretary K. Rafeeq to move aside during a visit to a model township for landslide survivors to avoid perceptions of party organization. He also encountered online criticism in September 2026 after visiting the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

Context

Public figures in India often face intense scrutiny and polarized reactions on social media for routine social interactions with politicians from rival parties. Such incidents highlight the growing challenges celebrities face as everyday personal gestures get pulled into political discourse online.