Malayalam filmdom’s megastar Mammootty has been dragged into a controversy by a religious zealot O Abdullah, a Jama-at-e-Islami fundamentalist, who questioned the former for allowing another megastar Mohan Lal to offer prayers at the holy shrine of Sabarimala for the former’s health.

Abdullah and another Islamic extremist Nazar Faizi who heads a powerful wing by name Samasta called for an atonement by Mammootty and they also demanded the megastar to apologise to the Muslim community in the State.

Mohan Lal’s special pooja for the health of his friend Mammootty, whom he addresses as Mammookka (a mark of respect for his senior) was the fall out of an unsubstantiated news that the latter was suffering from colon cancer.

Though there has been no communication from Mammootty or his close family members about the report, persons who claim to be close to the megastar said he was diagnosed with the ailment and was undergoing medication for the same.

What added to the controversial news was that Mammootty and family shifted to Chennai from Kochi and he has cancelled his shooting schedule for the next two months.

But this could be due to the fasting he routinely undertakes during the Ramadan month. Mohan Lal who undertook a pilgrimage to Sabarimala on the first of Malayalam month Meenam had held special poojas as the shrine for his mother, wife and Mammootty.

The receipt from the temple authorities carrying the birth-star and name of Mammootty went viral in the social media and this made Abdullah, who masquerades as a journalist, furious. The Jamat-e-Islami leader lambasted Mammootty and called him to perform atonement lest he may have to face religious punishment.

Abdullah’s comment has created a furor in Kerala as Mammootty remains a widely respected and adored artist in the State irrespective of caste and religion.

The Jamat-e-Islami leader and another leader who owns educational institutions across Kerala have called for the establishment of a Caliphate in South India.

“This is ridiculous. Offering pooja at a temple is to request the God Almighty to cure the person for whom the ritual is held. The community and political leaders should see this as a plea to the deity for the well being of the person,” said Sreejit Panicker, political observer.

Lal’s pooja for Mammootty is happening in a filmdom, which is a dog eating dog world.