Mallika Sukumaran, veteran actress and mother of actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran, has publicly condemned the online hate campaign targeting her son, alleging a deliberate attempt by industry insiders to derail his career in the Malayalam film industry. The sharp rebuke comes amidst a wave of cyberattacks and negative reviews aimed at Prithviraj's latest film, "Vilayath Buddha".
Mallika Sukumaran didn't mince words, asserting that a "concerted effort" was underway to undermine Prithviraj's standing in Mollywood. She expressed her dismay that film organizations have remained silent while Prithviraj's film faces heinous targeting on social media. According to her, these organizations have a duty to intervene and put an end to this disturbing trend. She also stated that she has secured the IDs of accounts that have made vile statements targeting the movie.
The actress further suggested that the online attacks may stem from the return of actor Shammi Thilakan, son of the late actor Thilakan, in a prominent role in "Vilayath Buddha," which has "unsettled many" within the industry. She voiced her respect for those who supported Shammi Thilakan amidst the defamation. Mallika also shared a video where Shammi Thilakan expressed his gratitude towards Prithviraj for giving him the opportunity to play the role of Bhaskaran Mash in "Vilayath Buddha". He stated that Prithviraj was the reason he got the role, and he would remain indebted to Prithviraj and the film's director for the rest of his life.
Producer Sandeep Senan has already filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell against a YouTube channel for allegedly spreading religious and political hatred disguised as a film review of "Vilayath Buddha". He alleges that the channel misrepresented the film's storyline to create polarization in society and unleash a coordinated cyber campaign. Senan claims that the video surfaced within 48 hours of the film's release and that the malicious attacks and fake reviews have led to significant financial losses, promoting religious hostility. According to reports, the police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation against the channel owners.
This isn't the first time Mallika Sukumaran has defended her son against perceived industry conspiracies. Earlier this year, she reacted strongly to controversies surrounding Prithviraj's directorial venture, "Empuraan," alleging that many within the industry feared his growth and were attempting to prevent the pan-Indian film's release. She even suggested that a cinema strike was orchestrated to coincide with the film's release date. At the time, she revealed that actor Mammootty was among the few who expressed support after she posted about the issue on Facebook.
The online attacks on "Vilayath Buddha" and Prithviraj have sparked heated discussions across social media, with many expressing support for the actor and condemning the cyberbullying. "Vilayath Buddha" is a Malayalam film directed by Jayan Nambiar, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shammi Thilakan.
