Manju Warrier forcibly kissed by fan in Palakkad; Viral video sparks social media backlash

Palakkad (Kerala): A video of a fan forcibly hugging and kissing Malayalam cinema star Manju Warrier has gone viral, triggering a debate on social media regarding celebrity safety and personal boundaries. The incident occurred during the inauguration of a jewellery showroom in Palakkad, where the actress had arrived to interact with the public.
Organisers had arranged an outdoor stage for the actress to address the gathering. While she was speaking, a woman suddenly rushed onto the platform, grabbed the actress and forcibly kissed her. The unexpected act left the audience and organisers stunned before security personnel intervened to pull the woman away.
 

The event’s host, Meera Nair, immediately addressed the situation, noting that such behaviour was inappropriate. However, Manju Warrier maintained her composure throughout the ordeal. Despite the breach of personal space, she was seen calmly holding the fan's hand to comfort her before continuing to take selfies with other supporters.

The woman was heard shouting, "I love Manju Chechi (elder sister), that is why I kissed her," as she was being led away.

Social media backlash

Although the event took place on March 15, the footage has only recently surfaced online, sparking a heated discussion. While some viewed the act as an outpouring of innocent affection, a vast majority of social media users criticised the lack of adequate security.

Critics argued against the "normalisation" of such physical contact without consent. "Regardless of stardom, a person's physical boundaries must be respected. Forcing a hug or a kiss is unacceptable and should not be dismissed as mere fandom," one user commented.

Others questioned the event organisers for failing to provide a secure environment for high-profile guests.