Vinayakan's poem on late V.S. Achuthanandan stirs controversy; tone called disrespectful - Read more

Malayalam actor Vinayakan is once again in the eye of a storm after sharing a controversial poem on Facebook about the death of veteran CPM leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S.

Achuthanandan.As reported by On Manorama, the poem, which also references the deaths of political giants like Rajiv Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and K. Karunakaran, has drawn sharp reactions online.

What has particularly upset many is the disrespectful tone in which the deaths are addressed, including that of V.S., who passed away recently at the age of 100.

Critics on social media have called the post insensitive, especially considering the legacy and respect that Achuthanandan commands in Kerala’s political and public memory.

Backlash from the past returns

This isn’t the first time Vinayakan has attracted controversy with his remarks on political figures. The actor had sparked widespread anger with his remarks following the death of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during a Facebook live session.During the live session which happened on July 18, 2023, Vinayakan questioned the media attention surrounding the funeral and made a statement that many deemed offensive: “Who is this Oommen Chandy, why three days leave… He is dead, so what should we do?”

Legal trouble and public outcry

The remarks made during that Facebook live session led to a police case being registered against Vinayakan at the Ernakulam Town North police station.

Complaints were filed by a Youth Congress activist along with several others who took offence to his provocative tone. The film industry, too, distanced itself from the actor’s remarks.Now, with the fresh controversy around his poem on V.S. Achuthanandan, the actor is again facing widespread backlash.Meanwhile, on the work front, Vinayakan will be next seen in the Mammootty starrer 'Kalamkaval' which is helmed by the debutant Jithin K Jose.