In Kerala's politics and cinema, few figures have maintained as towering and consistent a presence as Mammootty. For decades, the actor has been regarded not merely as a cultural icon but also as a fellow traveller of the Left, with his ideological leanings rarely a secret. However, the 75-year-old legend has now found himself at the receiving end of vicious cyberattacks, primarily from Left-leaning social media handles.
The latest flashpoint was Mammootty's visit to the home of BJP state vice-president B Gopalakrishnan following his daughter's wedding. The visit triggered a wave of online hostility. Mammootty had initially planned to attend the wedding at Guruvayur on November 1 but had to cancel, later making good on his promise by visiting the BJP leader's home on the night of November 7 to meet the newlyweds. When Gopalakrishnan shared photos and videos of the warm, personal interaction online, Left cyber handles launched a scathing attack, labeling the visit a political betrayal and accusing the megastar of compromising his secular credentials.
The backlash was intense enough for Gopalakrishnan himself to intervene, as he appealed to the public not to politicise personal ties and his daughter's wedding. Critics, however, argued that the visit could help fringe leaders gain wider social acceptance, pointing to the BJP leader's past controversial remarks. The outrage appeared selective to some, noting that the wedding was also attended by prominent figures like Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and Chief Minister VD Satheesan, yet Mammootty was singled out.
The origin of the online hostility actually predates this visit. The adoration that Left cyber handles had for the actor began to fracture in March 2026, when Mammootty made a private visit to the Elstone Estate in Wayanad to meet survivors of a landslide. During the visit, CPI(M) Wayanad district secretary K Rafeeq accompanied the actor and cleared paths through the crowd. Conscious of the optics, Mammootty told the politician in a brief video-captured conversation to move aside so people would not think he came for him.
That 10-second clip sparked criticism from hyper-reactive Left brigades who branded the actor arrogant for not showing deference to the party apparatus. Resentment lingered, and subsequent interactions, including hosting SFI and DYFI student leaders at his home or sharing photos from a visit to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, continued to draw sporadic anger from online supporters who cited perceived contradictions in his associations.
Mammootty is primarily an artist rather than a politician, but his ideological leanings have been evident for decades. He has maintained a warm camaraderie with CPI(M) stalwarts and lent cultural legitimacy to the party through his association with Kairali TV. His support has also extended to public remarks praising youth organizations like the DYFI for their social stance, making his current friction with the online Left a notable shift in public dynamics.