Malayalam actor Mohanlal has been targeted yet again by Organiser, the mouthpiece of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), over his recent appearance at Come On Kerala 2025, a diaspora event hosted by Madhyamam, a media group. The Organiser’s opposition is that Madhyamam is owned by a trust run by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
In a sharply worded article — which was later deleted — Organiser questioned the intent behind Mohanlal’s participation and said that the actor's presence at the event was politically inappropriate. The article said, “Some have even questioned whether Mohanlal would accept similar recognition in Pakistan if monetary incentives were involved.”
The Come On Kerala event, held at the Expo Centre in Sharjah from May 9 to 11, is an annual conclave that brings together notable figures from the fields of business, culture, and media. Mohanlal was among the featured guests this year.
However, Organiser alleged that Mohanlal’s appearance was not just a cultural engagement but a “strategic gesture” on the part of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. The article claimed that the organisation, known for its conservative stance on cinema, had never honoured a film actor before — raising, in its view, suspicions about political motivations behind the invitation.
The article also claimed that “there is a growing call for the revocation of Mohanlal’s honorary military rank, with voices from across society demanding action”.
The now-deleted article linked the controversy to several broader issues. It cited Mohanlal’s role in the 2025 film Empuraan, which had come under fire from right-wing groups for its portrayal of communal violence and references to the 2002 Gujarat riots and the Godhra train fire. According to Organiser, the film depicted Islamic terrorism in a sympathetic light while implicating Hindu groups in the violence — a narrative it said was deeply problematic.
With heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border and recent incidents involving the killing of Indian citizens by Pakistani terrorists, Organiser questioned whether it was appropriate for a public figure associated with India’s military to accept honours from the JIH.
Mohanlal holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, conferred in 2009 in recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema and nationalistic themes in his work. The article suggested that his appearance at the event could undermine the symbolic weight of that title, with some voices reportedly calling for its revocation.
This is not the first time Mohanlal has been criticised by the RSS and affiliated organisations. When "Empuraan" was released in March this year Organiser and others accused the film of pushing an “anti-Hindu” narrative, especially in its portrayal of the Gujarat riots and the events surrounding the Godhra train fire.