Javed Akhtar Supports Mohanlal-Mammootty Friendship Amid Sabarimala Prayer Row: ‘Their Bond Is Beyond…’

Friendship Amid Sabarimala Prayer Row: Veteran lyricist and screenplay writer Javed Akhtar has defended actors Mammootty and Mohanlal’s friendship amid controversy over Mohanlal offering prayers at Sabarimala for Mammootty, saying their bond is beyond the understanding of “small, narrow-minded, petty and negative people.”

“I wish every Mamooty of India had a friend like Mohan Lal and every Mohan Lal had a friend like Mamooty. It is obvious that their great friendship is beyond the understanding of some Small narrow minded, petty and negative people but who cares,” Javed Akhtar wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

During the “Usha puja” on March 18, Mohanlal submitted a note to the temple priest mentioning Mammootty’s birth name, Muhammed Kutty, and his birth star, Vishakham. A receipt from the Devaswom office confirming this later went viral.

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Mammootty and Mohanlal's supporters argue that their puja was a personal act of devotion and not a statement on the controversy. On the other hand, netizens are slamming the two for their actions. Amid the trolling, writer Javed Akhtar has backed the actors appreciating their friendship and devotion.

Mohanlal’s Response

Mohanlal, currently promoting L2: Empuraan, dismissed the controversy, stating that prayers are deeply personal and that he included Mammootty’s name in the ritual along with his own family’s. Speaking to NDTV, he said, “Fortunately, or unfortunately, it came out.”

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Filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, who was present during the interview, echoed this sentiment, noting that such gestures of goodwill between the two actors were not new. “This time, it made it to the news,” he added.

Addressing their friendship, Mohanlal emphasised that his bond with Mammootty goes beyond professional rivalry. “We have done over 50 films together. We used to meet every week and have phone calls every two or three days. We are really good friends,” he said.

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