Writer drags superstar Mohanlal to court

THRISSUR - Veteran Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode Saturday filed a criminal defamation case against superstar Mohanlal.

Azhikode alleges that the actor called him a mentally deranged person last year. Azhikode had then served a legal notice on Mohanlal, asking him to either apologise or face legal action.

The war of words between the two started when Azhikode came in support of thespian Thilakan, who was served a show cause notice by Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and subsequently booted out of the film actors’ group on grounds of indiscipline.

Last year, Azhikode said that Mohanlal had become old and should limit himself to roles matching his age and figure.

He also said Mohanlal should stop making money by endorsing jewellery products.

Mohanlal hit back, saying that Azhikode must be having some “hallucinations” and he considered his statements as “aged uncle’s joke”. Mohanlal said whether or not he should stop acting was not for Azhikode to decide.

Azhikode, a retired pro-vice chancellor of Calicut University, is famous for his work “Tatvamasi”, an authoritative book on Indian philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads.

“Tathvamasi” won many awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Academy Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award.

Mohanlal is one of the most famous actors in Malayalam cinema and is a multiple National Award winner for best actor.