Mohanlal was helping me: Veteran Malayalam writer SN Swamy sets the record straight after viral videos sparked a row
A video of renowned writer SN Swamy and Mohanlal from the Prathichaya movie launch event is doing the rounds with claims that the superstar had insulted the scriptwriter.
Last Updated: 04.19 PM, Feb 19, 2026
Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly’s Prathichaya movie launch continues to make headlines and mostly for the wrong reasons. After director B Unnikrishnan-producer Listin Stephen’s verbal spat on stage, another video from the event has gone viral. A video of renowned writer SN Swamy and Mohanlal from the event is doing the rounds with claims that the superstar had insulted the scriptwriter. However, SN Swamy has dismissed these claims and set the record straight that Mohanlal was in fact helping him.
What’s Mohanlal-SN Swamy row about
The title of Nivin Pauly’s new movie with director B Unnikrishnan, Prathichaya, was revealed by Mohanlal during an event in Kochi on February 17. There were other dignitaries present, including senior director Sibi Malayil and writer SN Swamy. In videos circulating on social media, Mohanlal and Swamy are seen exiting the event amid a huge crowd of media personnel and people. Mohanlal is heard saying, “Oru shakalam mariyal njan angu poyekkam (If you move a little, I can go)”. This is being construed as Mohanlal insulting the veteran writer, while some are claiming that the superstar pushed the veteran.
However, SN Swamy has rejected these claims and said that the videos were taken in such a manner to create a false narrative, as per a report on Manorama Online.
"There is no issue between Mohanlal and me. When I met Lal for the programme, we spoke for long. After that, Lal was helping me climb down the stairs," Swamy told Manorama Online.
The visuals of us standing close by amid the crowd with the hand being placed on me are being portrayed as I was getting pushed, he explained. He actually told me ‘Swamy njan pokkotte’ (Swamy, so I take my leave) and the rest were for the people who came with the cameras.
While dismissing the claims, Swamy also called out those who were creating content just to get social media reach.
For the unversed, SN Swamy has scripted several blockbuster films of Mohanlal. He is credited with creating Mohanlal’s iconic role Sagar Alias Jacky in Irupatham Noottandu. Naduvazhikal and Moonnam Mura are some of the other Mohanlal films penned by SN Swamy. Another iconic character created by Swamy is CBI officer Sethurama Iyer (Mammootty) in the CBI film series.
SN Swamy FAQs
Q. Who is SN Swamy?
A. SN Swamy is a renowned Malayalam scriptwriter-director, who is known for crafting thrillers and investigative films.
Q. Why is SN Swamy famous?
A. SN Swamy is mostly famous for creating two of the most iconic Malayalam fictional characters - Sagar Alias Jacky (Mohanlal) and Sethurama Iyer (Mammootty).