Claims about Mohanlal, remarks on Anganwadi teachers and more: When Sreenivasan courted controversy

Malayalam actor-filmmaker Sreenivasan’s death has brought renewed attention not only to his sharp writing and screen presence, but also to the many controversies he stirred through blunt, often unsettling public remarks. Never one to soften his views, the actor–writer frequently found himself at the centre of heated debates that divided opinion and provoked strong reactions across Kerala’s cultural and political space.

Below is a look back at some of the most controversial moments from his public life, drawn entirely from what he himself said or what followed from it.

Equation with Mohanlal

One of the most talked-about controversies erupted when Sreenivasan revisited a decades-old, unfulfilled project involving Prem Nazir and Mohanlal. He revealed that Nazir had wanted to direct a film with Mohanlal in the lead and had even handed over the script, expressing his wish to realise the project.

According to Sreenivasan, Mohanlal allegedly mocked Nazir’s ambition, questioning why he wanted to take on new projects at that stage of life. He also claimed that on the day of Mohanlal’s engagement, Nazir had given him an advance cheque. The project never moved forward, and Nazir later passed away during the shooting of Varavelpu.

Nazir’s son Shanawas responded by confirming that his father did wish to work with Mohanlal and that Mohanlal and Priyadarshan used to visit their home to discuss stories. He said the script was indeed completed and that Nazir had also hoped to collaborate with Mammootty. However, he admitted uncertainty over Sreenivasan’s specific allegations, adding that it was difficult to dismiss them outright since they came from Sreenivasan.

Sreenivasan openly spoke about his uneasy relationship with Mohanlal, making a sarcastic remark by calling him a “complete actor” while recalling a moment when Mohanlal kissed him on a television show.

He acknowledged that the character Saroj Kumar, widely seen as a parody of Mohanlal, reflected their strained equation. Sreenivasan said their relationship had never been pleasant and claimed he had repeatedly exposed what he described as Mohanlal’s hypocrisy. 

Organ donation remarks spark outrage

Sreenivasan drew sharp criticism when he described organ donation as a “fraud business” driven by profit. He alleged that hospitals and drug mafias made huge money from transplants and claimed that most such procedures failed.

His comments prompted a strong response from Mathew Achadan, a heart transplant recipient. In a detailed Facebook post, Achadan described how a donor heart, transported by air ambulance from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, had given him a new life. He wrote that he could now live normally and earn his livelihood as an autorickshaw driver, calling Sreenivasan’s remarks deeply hurtful to donors and recipients alike.

Many also criticised the actor, saying artists should not encourage pessimism or unkindness. They argued that organ donation brings people closer beyond social divisions and described it as an act that brightens another person’s life.

Case over Anganwadi teacher remarks

Another major controversy followed comments Sreenivasan made at a literary festival about early childhood education. A group of Anganwadi teachers approached the Kerala State Women’s Commission, alleging that his remarks were demeaning, gender-insensitive and misogynist.

The petitioners said his comments suggested rural children deserved better educators than “ill-educated women”, hurting the dignity of Anganwadi teachers. The remarks went viral on social media, prompting the Commission to register a case and initiate an enquiry.

Sreenivasan later said he had not intended to insult women or Anganwadi teachers. He argued that his point was about the importance of highly qualified kindergarten teachers in developed countries and that his words may have been distorted or quoted out of context. He said he would defend himself against the allegations.

Supporting Dileep and attacking the WCC

Sreenivasan faced intense backlash when he publicly supported actor Dileep (now acquitted) in the actress-attack case. He dismissed allegations that Dileep had paid Rs 1.5 crore to another accused, saying the Dileep he knew “wouldn’t spend even 1.5 paise” for such a purpose.

In the same interview, he criticised the Women in Cinema Collective, rejecting its demands for equal pay and allegations of exploitation. He claimed there was no exploitation of women in cinema and argued that pay was determined by market value, using sporting analogies to justify differences.

The remarks triggered strong reactions, and miscreants later poured black oil on his house.

‘Kingship is better than democracy’

Perhaps most provocatively, Sreenivasan openly declared his opposition to democracy after casting his vote. He claimed democracy allowed corrupt leaders to escape accountability and said he was “basically against democracy”.

Invoking Socrates, he used dark humour to criticise the system and praised strong rulers, citing Dubai as an example.

In death, Sreenivasan remains what he was in life: a figure impossible to ignore. His controversies, much like his films and scripts, continue to provoke debate—sharp, uncomfortable, and deeply entwined with his uncompromising public voice.