A personal puja by Malayalam film superstar Mohanlal at Sabarimala temple for fellow superstar Mammootty on March 18 ignited a controversy on March 26 with some people questioning if it aligned with Islamic principles. The temple receipt for the puja, which listed Mammootty’s official name and birth star, went viral.
A former editor of a daily linked to Jamaat-e-Islami argued on social media that if Mammootty had consented, he should apologise to the Muslim community. He later deleted his post as there was a major backlash. Nasar Faizy Koodathayi from the Sunni Scholars’ group, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, said the puja would be problematic only if Mammootty had knowingly approved it, but it was not an issue otherwise.
Mohanlal clarified that it was a personal prayer for his friend. He also raised concern over the leak of the temple receipt.