Actor Hareesh Peradi has launched a sharp criticism against veteran actor Mammootty following the announcement of his new film with director Khalid Rahman, titled Mattancherry Mafia.

Peradi questioned whether it is appropriate for Mammootty to collaborate with a director who was previously arrested in a hybrid cannabis case. His comments were also linked to the controversy surrounding Mammootty’s visit to Mundakkai Township in Wayanad.

"When Mammootty felt, 'If I stand with a public figure for a while, won't people think I came to support you?', then why doesn't he feel that when he decides to collaborate again with a director arrested in a hybrid cannabis case, people might think he is promoting drugs? I don't know... I'm not sure what is right either," Peradi posted on Facebook.

Last year, in April, directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hams were caught by excise officials with a hybrid ganja at cinematographer Sameer Tahir’s flat in Kochi. They were later released on station bail.

‘Mattancherry Mafia’ marks the reunion of Mammootty and director Khalid Rahman, following their collaboration on the superhit film ‘Unda’. Khalid Rahman is also known for films such as ‘Love’, ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’, ‘Thallumaala’, and the recently released ‘Alappuzha Gymkhana’. The upcoming project ‘Mattancherry Mafia’ stars Asif Ali and Naslen in pivotal roles, with music by Rex Vijayan and background score by Sushin Shyam. Meanwhile, Mammootty and Mohanlal are set to appear together in ‘Patriot’, scheduled for release on April 23.

Earlier, Mammootty came under heavy criticism on social media from left-leaning accounts after expressing his displeasure over CPM Wayanad district secretary K. Rafeeq repeatedly accompanying him during his private visit to Elstone Estate township for landslide survivors.

According to reports, upon learning about the actor’s visit, Rafeeq and some local party activists joined him as he toured the township. Rafeeq was also seen asking the crowd to make way for Mammootty. As Rafeeq continued walking alongside him, the actor reportedly remarked, “Why are you always standing next to me? People will think I came here for you. Please move aside.”

Though the comment was made in a brief conversation with Rafeeq, it was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.

Later, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan intervened on the matter and said Mammootty's intervention during the visit had been made with "good intentions" and that the actor should never have been subjected to ridicule or abuse.

"I publicly apologise to Mammootty if the incident caused him any mental distress. The great actor should have been understood better, Vijayan said. According to the Chief Minister, Mammootty chose to convey his views discreetly to the party leader as he feared that a public remark could be misinterpreted and trigger unnecessary controversy.

"It was an unannounced visit, and the actor had come with genuine concern. He spoke privately with the district secretary in that spirit," Vijayan said.