Controversies

Mammootty, who has a huge fan following in Tamil Nadu as well, was addressing thousands of youth who had gathered for the inaugural session of the eighth national conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, In May 2007, at Chennai.^[46][47] Mammootty in his speech said:

“

I memorize all my scripts for films, but what I am saying today is from my heart

”

He stressed that the Gujarat carnage in 2002 'would not have happened' if the youth wings had been stronger in that state. Mammootty also saw a greater role for political parties in strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir. This statement did not go down well with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh^{[citation needed]}. This led to police protection being extended to the actor and also his house at Ernakulam. But his comments about globalization went unnoticed.

Mammootty has denied allegations by the Indian National Congress party in Kerala that he had constructed buildings on encroached lands in the hill station of Munnar and Kochi.^[48] In a statement issued from Chennai, where he is shooting for his film Pazhassi Raja, Mammootty said: "I do not possess any unlawfully acquired land in Kerala or any other state.^[49]. He added that if any lapse had occurred in any land dealings without his knowledge, he was "prepared to return the land without any condition”. "I spoke at the DYFI conference only as an ordinary citizen of India. I did not level any charge in my speech against any particular leader or movement," he explained:

“

"Don't read too much politics into it. I am inaugurating that event because the DYFI asked me to. If the Congress asks me to inaugurate their meeting, I may do that too,"

”

He was offered to act as Coca-Cola's Brand ambassador in Kerala during March 2004.^[50] But, pressure from various quarters, it seems, has prompted the Megastar to give up the ambitious offer.^[51] Several environmental groups were calling for the soft drink's boycott. Ending a weeklong debate in the media over the propriety of his promoting the Coca-Cola brands in the State, he issued a statement denying that he had taken up the role of a Brand ambassador.^[52][53]

• During the celebration of his new release Roudram, Mammootty was accused of slapping a fan. In an interview, he denied the allegation and said "I could sense that the passion was running high when I arrived for the promo because my new film was running in several theatres across north Kerala. The fans were excited to see me and for me, fans mean everything. Seeing the mood and the fervour of my fans, I opened the roof of my car and stood up. As soon as I stood up, fans rushed to my moving car and wanted to touch me. Isn't it a natural thing to happen? Stars are often mobbed. But soon I noticed that things were moving out of control and people were coming closer to my car. I was really concerned about the safety of those who were near my car and I started warning them".