New Delhi- Puzhu, the Malayalam psychological drama released in May 2022, has recently become a focal point of controversy.
The uproar was ignited by comments from Sharshad Baniyandi, husband of the film's director, Ratheena PT, who in a recent interview claimed that the movie insulted the upper caste community.
Sharshad criticized the lead actor in the movie, Mammootty’s decision to take on the project, questioning whether the veteran had read the script, and accused one of the scriptwriters, Harshad, of being an "extreme Islamist."
This statement led to an outpouring of criticism on social media, with many accusing the film of propagating anti-Brahmanical sentiments.
Mammootty, who portrays an upper-caste Brahmin opposed to his sister's inter-caste marriage, has become a target for online abuse.
Critics have gone as far as referring to him by his birth name, Muhammad Kutty, in an attempt to undermine his public persona.
Right-wing groups have called for boycotts of Mammootty’s future projects, and the actor has faced significant online harassment.
The Mooknayak delves deeper into the script to explain what Puzhu is all about and why Mammootty remains one of the most beloved stars in Mollywood.
The narrative of Puzhu revolves around Kuttan (Mammooty) , a retired police officer and single parent who raises his son, Rishikesh a.k.a Kichu, with strict authoritarian principles. Kichu, feeling oppressed and stifled by his father's rigid rules, secretly resents him.
Among the many strictures imposed by Kuttan, one particularly stands out: the prohibition against accepting food from people of other castes.
Kuttan, steeped in caste pride, resides in a gated community inhabited exclusively by Brahmins, where there are no CCTV cameras—a detail that highlights the community's insularity. His disdain for lower-caste individuals is evident in his interactions, such as when he reacts with disgust to sharing an elevator with a delivery person.
The familial conflict intensifies with the introduction of Kuttan's estranged sister, Bharathi (Parvathy Thiruvothu), who has married KP (Appunni Sasi), a man from a scheduled caste.
This marriage, in Kuttan's view, brings disgrace upon him, leading to a complete break in their relationship. Bharathi, however, harbors hopes of reconciliation, especially after informing Kuttan of her pregnancy.
The situation escalates tragically when Kuttan visits Bharathi's home.
Kuttan’s attempt to mend the relationship on his terms—demanding that Bharathi raise her child according to Brahmin traditions—is met with polite refusal.
Bharati respectfully declines the offer, and goes to make tea when her husband returns home. As KP tries to have small talk with his brother-in-law, Kuttan checks the trophies on KP's shelf, as the latter tells him why he won each award.
The last trophy on the shelf is a bronze statue of Nangeli, which KP won for his acclaimed one-act play, Thakshakan. KP mentions that he wishes for a girl child and plans to name her Nangeli.
This triggers Kuttan who suddenly strikes KP with the bronze statue, presumably killing him. When Bharathi hears the commotion and rushes in from the kitchen, she meets the same tragic fate.
The plot takes a darker turn as Kuttan takes Kichu to their ancestral house. Here, Kuttan encounters Ameer (Thejas EK), a former domestic help whose family was destroyed due to Kuttan’s prejudiced actions. Ameer reveals his vendetta against Kuttan, confessing to multiple attempts on Kuttan’s life, culminating in a successful poisoning.
As Kuttan lies dying, Ameer recounts the tale of Thakshakan from the Mahabharata, drawing a parallel between the mythical story and Kuttan’s fate. In the legend, King Parikshit is cursed to die by the serpent king Thakshakan, despite his attempts to avoid the prophecy. The story suggests the themes of fate, justice, and the inescapability of one’s actions, mirroring Kuttan’s downfall.
Puzhu delves into themes of casteism, prejudice, and the consequences of entrenched societal norms. Kuttan's character embodies the destructive power of caste pride, and his ultimate demise serves as a stark commentary on the repercussions of such beliefs.
The film’s portrayal of inter-caste marriage and the brutal consequences faced by those who challenge caste boundaries adds to its critical exploration of social hierarchies.
In response to the backlash, Mammootty has received support from several prominent political figures in Kerala. They praised Mammootty's contributions to Malayalam cinema and condemned the hate campaign as politically motivated.
CPI leader and General Education Minister V Sivankutty, shared a photograph with Mammootty on Facebook, expressing his support. "Mammootty is Malayalees' pride," he stated.
Revenue Minister K Rajan condemned the online attacks, attributing them to "Sangh Parivar politics." Rajan asserted that such divisive tactics would not succeed in Kerala, stating, "Mammootty is the pride of Malayalis, and he will always remain so."
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal also rallied behind Mammootty.
In a social media post, Venugopal criticized the hate campaign, noting that the secular society of Kerala would not support such propaganda. He highlighted Mammootty's enduring legacy and urged the public to reject the "poison of hate campaigns."
Cinema lovers too, remain unaffected by the ban calls from right-wing groups, believing that cinema is the highest form of artistic expression.
"I have grown up watching Mammootty movies, and he is one of the best actors in the country. These are politically motivated calls, and real cinema lovers would not pay heed to them," says Anil Kumar, a male nurse working at a private hospital in Alappuzha.
"It is political parties that play with religion and caste for their ulterior motives. What do actors have to do with them? Mammootty has had a large fan following for decades, and I don't think any of his fans think the way the controversy is being brought up. This is unfortunate. Keep actors out of this kind of thing," says Shailaja M, a homemaker in Muzhukumpuzha village in Trivandrum district.
Mammootty, the stalwart of Malayalam cinema, continues to astound audiences with his remarkable versatility and willingness to embrace unconventional roles.
While the versatile actor Mammootty faces online hatred for his role in Puzhu, his two other movies have met unprecedented success in the past six months.
In November 2023, Kaathal, where he portrayed a man in a gay relationship, received widespread acclaim for its bold and sensitive depiction of personal and societal conflicts.
Kaathal presents a starkly different yet equally compelling narrative. Set in a tranquil village in Kerala's Kottayam district, the film follows Mathew Devassy (Mammootty), a seasoned man embroiled in a local gram panchayat byelection, spurred by his Leftist party's directives. The political fervor of the election serves as the backdrop for a deeply personal crisis: Mathew's wife, Omana (Jyotika), files for divorce, alleging that her husband is homosexual.
The revelation shatters Mathew's carefully constructed life, compelling him to confront both societal expectations and his own identity. The film delves into the conflicts arising from personal struggles, societal prejudices, and the fragility of human relationships. Mathew's journey towards self-acceptance and understanding is both poignant and thought-provoking.
Similarly, Brahmayugam, released in February 2024, was praised for its unique blend of folk horror and mythological elements, further showcasing Mammootty's exceptional talent and dedication to diverse, unconventional roles.
Presented in a distinctive black-and-white format, Brahmayugam became a box-office success, grossing over 85 crore. It garnered critical acclaim for its stellar performances, particularly by Mammootty, its atmospheric cinematography, intricate sound design, evocative background score, and meticulous production design.
The film's unique approach and Mammootty's portrayal of a complex character within a folkloric horror context were especially praised.
Mammootty's journey in acting began with his debut in the Malayalam film "Anubhavangal Paalichakal" in 1971. However, it was his leading role in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's unreleased film "Devalokam" (1979) that marked his first significant step into the limelight. The breakthrough came in 1981 when he received the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in "Ahimsa." This success paved the way for major commercial hits like the 1983 films "Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu" and "Aa Raathri."
Despite encountering box office failures, Mammootty's career took a significant turn with the 1987 crime thriller "New Delhi," which improved his commercial prospects. Throughout the next decade, a string of successful films solidified his position as one of the leading stars of Malayalam cinema.
The 2000s marked a period of both critical and commercial success for Mammootty. His portrayal in the Hindi and English-language bilingual biopic "Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar" (2000) earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. Additionally, he received Kerala State Film Awards for "Kaazcha" (2004) and "Paleri Manikyam" (2009).
Films like the satire "Pranchiyettan & the Saint" (2010), drama "Varsham" (2014), period drama "Pathemari" (2015), and black comedy "Unda" (2019) further solidified his reputation, earning him critical acclaim and several Filmfare Awards.
Not only has Mammootty excelled on the big screen, but he has also made significant contributions behind the scenes. As the chairman of Malayalam Communications, he oversees the operations of popular television channels such as Kairali TV, Kairali News, and Kairali We.
Additionally, Mammootty owns multiple production ventures, including the distribution-production banner, Playhouse, and production company, Mammootty Kampany.
Recent years have seen Mammootty continuing his success with high-grossing releases like the action comedy "Madhura Raja" (2019), the action thriller "Bheeshma Parvam" (2022), and the crime thriller "Kannur Squad" (2023), further cementing his status as a powerhouse in Indian cinema.
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