Mammootty faces cyberattack over visit to BJP leader Gopalakrishnan's house; latter denies CPM role
Popular Malayalam actor Mammootty has become the target of online harassment following a private visit to the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party State Vice-President B. Gopalakrishnan in Thrissur. The actor visited the politician on Sunday evening to convey belated wedding wishes to his daughter, after being unable to attend her marriage ceremony on November 1. Shortly after visuals of the meeting began circulating on social media platforms, several users directed harsh criticism towards the actor.
Responding to the growing online controversy, Gopalakrishnan publicly defended the actor and urged critics to stop turning a personal moment into a political dispute. He clarified that the cyber attacks were not carried out by genuine party workers, but rather by internet trolls operating under false profiles. Rejecting allegations linking the visit to an ED case involving the actor's son, Dulquer Salmaan, Gopalakrishnan pointed out that personal relationships should remain separate from political differences.
"The cyberattacks are not being carried out by genuine CPM workers, but by individuals operating online while falsely posing as CPM supporters. Please do not turn my daughter's wedding into a political controversy," Gopalakrishnan requested.
He said that politics should not come in the way of personal relationships, friendships or the bonds people share.
“Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also attended the wedding. Politics should not even be brought into a moment of friendship and personal bonding. I sincerely appeal to everyone to stop these cyberattacks," he added.
Fresh backlash follows previous internet rows
This incident comes shortly after the veteran actor faced similar online criticism following his recent visit to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The recent wave of hostility also reflects persistent digital tensions surrounding the star over the past year.
Earlier, Mammootty faced intense online harassment from Left-leaning social media accounts during his visit to a rehabilitation township for landslide survivors at Elstone Estate in Wayanad. During the tour, the actor had politely asked CPM Wayanad district secretary K. Rafeeq to step aside while walking alongside him. Mammootty explained at the time that he did not want the public to view his humanitarian visit as a political promotional event. Although video footage of the brief exchange triggered widespread online outrage, Rafeeq later confirmed that the actor had called him to resolve the matter amicably.
Political leaders urge end to online hostility
Despite the initial resolution, online friction resurfaced when youth leaders from the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India met Mammootty and shared photographs online. Social media handles quickly renewed their criticism against both the youth organisers and the actor, citing the previous Wayanad incident.
The persistent online abuse prompted senior political figures to intervene and call for restraint. CPM state secretary M V Govindan publicly disowned the cyber attacks, stating that the party did not support targeted harassment against public figures.
Senior leader P. Jayarajan and the then CM Pinarayi Vijayan also defended the actor's intentions during the Wayanad row, urging party supporters to drop the grievance and respect Mammootty's humanitarian efforts.