Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has found himself at the center of a religious controversy after offering prayers for his close friend Mammootty at the Sabarimala temple. A temple receipt, which mentioned Mammootty’s birth name Muhammad Kutty and his birth nakshatra 'Vishakham', recently went viral, leading to heated discussions on Hindu-Muslim beliefs.

What Led to the Controversy?

On March 18, Mohanlal visited Sabarimala temple and performed ‘Usha Puja’ for Mammootty’s health. When the receipt of the puja surfaced online, a section of people questioned whether it was appropriate to perform a Hindu ritual for a person of another faith.

Mohanlal’s Reaction: ‘What is Wrong in This?’

Responding to the controversy at an event in Chennai for his upcoming film Empuraan, Mohanlal firmly defended his action.

• He called Mammootty "like a brother" and asked, "What is wrong in praying for him?"

• He clarified that Mammootty had a minor health issue, but there was nothing to worry about.

• He also expressed disappointment that someone from the Devaswom Board allegedly leaked the receipt.

Devaswom Board’s Clarification

After Mohanlal’s claims, the Travancore Devaswom Board issued a statement on March 25 addressing the controversy.

• They confirmed that part of the receipt was leaked online.

• However, they stated that staff members only retain the counterfoil and do not have access to the main receipt.

• They suggested that Mohanlal may have misunderstood the situation and hoped he would clarify his statement.

Mammootty’s Health and Dismissal of Cancer Rumors

In recent days, rumors had spread that Mammootty was suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment. However, his team denied these claims, calling them false and baseless.

Despite the controversy, Mohanlal’s gesture reflects his deep bond with Mammootty, proving that friendship transcends religious boundaries.