CPI(M) to engage with Mammootty despite social media row, says Govindan
Synopsis
CPI(M) Kerala's top leader M.V. Govindan has stepped in publicly to defend Mammootty, insisting the party will engage with the actor despite online backlash from Left supporters over photos with DYFI and SFI leaders. The intervention signals the Kerala Left is not willing to let social media sentiment override its cultural and institutional ties with one of Indian cinema's biggest names.
Key Takeaways
CPI(M) Kerala state secretary M.V.
Govindan on 30 October 2026 reaffirmed the party's intent to engage with actor Mammootty .
The row began after DYFI MLA M.
Vijin posted a photograph with Mammootty captioned 'A 25-year-old with 50 years of experience', drawing criticism from Left supporters.
Govindan called Mammootty 'a great actor known across the world' and said past criticism of the actor should be seen as constructive.
An earlier episode involving CPI(M) Wayanad district secretary K.
Rafiq and Mammootty also resurfaced in the controversy.
Mammootty remains founder chairman of the CPI(M) -backed Kairali TV channel.
CPI(M) Kerala state secretary M.V. Govindan on Friday, 30 October 2026, declared that the party would maintain cordial ties with veteran actor Mammootty and continue to engage with him, pushing back against a social media backlash that had questioned the actor's association with party youth leaders.
Govindan's Clear Stance
Addressing the controversy directly, Govindan said that not just the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), but the CPI(M) itself would seek to interact with prominent public figures like Mammootty. He described the actor as a globally celebrated artiste and urged that any past criticism of him be read as constructive rather than adversarial.
Govindan said, 'Mammootty is a great actor known across the world. There may have been occasions when we criticised him, but such criticism should be viewed as constructive.'
He added, 'Why should we refuse to speak to Mammootty if he is ready to talk to us? There should be good communication with him and others like him.'
What Sparked the Controversy
The row originated after DYFI state secretary and MLA M. Vijin posted a photograph with Mammootty on social media, captioning it: 'A 25-year-old with 50 years of experience.' The post attracted criticism from sections of Left supporters, some of whom questioned the propriety of party leaders being seen associating with the actor.
The backlash also revived an earlier episode involving CPI(M) Wayanad district secretary K. Rafiq and Mammootty, dating to the actor's visit to the district in connection with relief-home activities. That episode had similarly drawn scrutiny within Left circles.
Significance of the Party's Intervention
Govindan's statement is being read as a deliberate intervention by the state leadership to settle the matter publicly. He noted that the party has resolved to interact with people across political affiliations and sees no reason to distance itself from prominent personalities simply due to online criticism.
Notably, Mammootty continues to serve as founder chairman of Kairali TV, the CPI(M)-backed television channel, a fact that adds an institutional dimension to the relationship beyond mere social association.
Broader Context
The episode reflects a recurring tension within Left politics in Kerala — between the party's cultural outreach to mainstream celebrities and the expectations of ideological purity held by sections of its base. Govindan's public endorsement of the engagement signals that the CPI(M) leadership is not willing to let social media pressure dictate its relationship with influential figures in civil society and culture.
Point of View
Rather than engaging their concern, may paper over a tension that will surface again with the next celebrity association.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there controversy over Mammootty and CPI(M) in Kerala?
The controversy began after DYFI state secretary and MLA M. Vijin posted a photograph with actor Mammootty on social media with the caption 'A 25-year-old with 50 years of experience'. The post drew criticism from sections of Left supporters who questioned party leaders being seen closely associated with the actor, and the row also revived an earlier episode involving CPI(M) Wayanad district secretary K. Rafiq.
What did CPI(M) Kerala secretary M.V. Govindan say about Mammootty?
Govindan described Mammootty as 'a great actor known across the world' and said any past criticism of the actor should be viewed constructively. He declared that both CPI(M) and its youth wings, SFI and DYFI, would continue to engage with prominent personalities like Mammootty, and that there was no reason to avoid communication with the actor.
What is Mammootty's connection to CPI(M)?
Mammootty serves as the founder chairman of Kairali TV, a television channel backed by the CPI(M). This institutional link adds a formal dimension to his association with the party, beyond the social media photographs that sparked the current controversy.
Who is M.V. Govindan and why does his statement matter?
M.V. Govindan is the state secretary of the CPI(M) in Kerala and the party's most senior functional leader in the state. His public statement is seen as a deliberate intervention by the top party leadership to end internal debate and reaffirm the CPI(M)'s position on engaging with celebrities across political lines.
What does the Mammootty row reveal about Kerala Left politics?
The episode reflects a recurring tension within Kerala's Left movement between the party's cultural outreach to mainstream celebrities and the ideological expectations of sections of its base. The CPI(M)'s decision to publicly back engagement with Mammootty suggests the leadership views celebrity relationships as a strategic asset, regardless of rank-and-file discomfort.
