Renowned Malayalam actor Mohanlal has recently become embroiled in a religious debate following his prayers for his close friend Mammootty at the Sabarimala temple. A receipt from the temple, which included Mammootty’s birth name Muhammad Kutty and his nakshatra 'Vishakham', went viral, igniting discussions surrounding Hindu-Muslim beliefs.
The Incident That Triggered the Debate
On March 18, Mohanlal visited the Sabarimala temple to perform ‘Usha Puja’ for the well-being of Mammootty. The emergence of the puja receipt online led some individuals to question the appropriateness of conducting a Hindu ritual for someone of a different faith.
Mohanlal's Defense: 'What’s Wrong with This?'
During an event in Chennai promoting his upcoming film Empuraan, Mohanlal addressed the backlash, staunchly defending his actions.
He referred to Mammootty as "like a brother" and questioned, "What is wrong in praying for him?"
He reassured that Mammootty was dealing with a minor health issue, emphasizing there was no cause for alarm.
Mohanlal expressed his disappointment over the alleged leak of the receipt by someone from the Devaswom Board.
Clarification from the Devaswom Board
In response to Mohanlal’s statements, the Travancore Devaswom Board released a statement on March 25 addressing the issue.
They confirmed that a portion of the receipt had indeed been leaked online.
However, they clarified that staff members only keep the counterfoil and do not have access to the original receipt.
They suggested that Mohanlal might have misunderstood the situation and expressed hope that he would clarify his remarks.
Mammootty's Health and Rumors of Cancer
Recently, rumors circulated claiming that Mammootty was battling cancer and receiving treatment. However, his team has dismissed these allegations as false and unfounded.
Despite the surrounding controversy, Mohanlal’s actions highlight the strong friendship between him and Mammootty, showcasing that friendship knows no religious boundaries.
