Mammootty’s apology for his quip on Jude Anthany Joseph’s baldness wins hearts: ‘Megastar onscreen and off it’

Malayalam megastar Mammootty once again showed the way, when he issued a public apology through his social media after many had blasted the actor for making fun of director Jude Anthany Joseph’s baldness at a recent trailer launch held in Kochi.

Mammootty, during the event, had joked that while Jude’s head might be devoid of hair, he’s still smart. Several people had come forward on social media and compared Mammootty’s comment body shaming.

Jude himself had defended the megastar, saying that he nor his family didn’t feel any shame or sorrow by his baldness. He also asked people not to twist the words of someone who he admires a lot.

Mammootty, however, didn’t remain mum and instead took to his social media page to apologise. “The previous day, the words that I had used to praise Jude had made a lot of people uncomfortable and for that apart from expressing my regret, I also promise to be careful not to repeat such phrases. Thanks to everyone who reminded me,” he wrote.

The megastar’s comment won a lot of hearts, with several young filmmakers including Arun Chandu immediately liking the post. Jude also commented, “Those words were praise for me. I also express regret that because of my beautiful head, Mammukka had to apologise.”

Filmmaker Nadhirshah also replied to the post, saying, “Mammukka is someone who keeps teaching us an artiste must be – through his life, actions and words. He is a book in himself.” Directors Salam Bappu, Santosh Vishawanath and MB Padmakumar also lauded the actor for his apology, and criticized those who tried to misinterpret his words. Several fans had also said Mammootty is a "true megastar both on screen and off it".

Meanwhile, Mammootty’s speech also gave way to a Twitter battle between Mohanlal and the megastar’s fans, with several admirers of the former star posting a video of an earlier interview, in which the host had tried to body shame yesteryear actress Ranjini by saying that she had put on weight. Mohanlal had replied that he too is on the heavier side and corrected the host, John Brittas, that it's wrong to say that a person is not beautiful just because they have put on weight.