Malayalam megastar Mammootty's (Mammootty) health has been a concern, and in his well-being, another senior actor, Mohanlal (Mohanlal), performed special prayers at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple (Ayyappa temple). However, this act has sparked controversy, with some Hindu organizations opposing it. They argue that Mammootty is a Muslim, and therefore, it is inappropriate for Mohanlal to perform Hindu rituals for him. Some even demanded that Mohanlal apologize for this. Meanwhile, others have come in support of Mohanlal, appreciating his gesture as a step towards religious harmony.

As the controversy deepened, Bollywood veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar extended his support to Mohanlal. Taking to Twitter, he stated, "Every Mammootty in India should have a friend like Mohanlal, and every Mohanlal should have a friend like Mammootty. Their strong friendship is beyond the understanding of narrow-minded individuals. But who really cares about their opinions?" His statement has gained widespread attention on social media.

The controversy began when Mammootty recently suffered a minor health issue. During his visit to Sabarimala for a movie promotion, Mohanlal performed prayers on March 18 in Mammootty's name, including his birth star and birth name. A video of this ritual has now surfaced online and is going viral, leading to mixed reactions from netizens. Addressing the issue, Mohanlal clarified that performing prayers is his personal choice, and others should not interfere in such matters.