Malayalam filmmaker M Padmakumar has come forward to strongly criticize director Alappuzha Ashraf following Ashraf’s explosive claim that veteran actor Oduvil Unnikrishnan was assaulted by screenwriter and director Ranjith during the filming of the 1996 movie Aaram Thampuran. Ashraf shared the allegation on his YouTube channel, sparking widespread debate on social media.
In a detailed Facebook post, Padmakumar dismissed the claims as a sensationalist attempt to garner attention and increase YouTube subscriptions. He defended Ranjith, calling him a mentor, friend, and brother, while highlighting his longstanding respect and camaraderie with the acclaimed filmmaker.
Padmakumar clarified that he was present throughout the shooting of Aaram Thampuran as an associate director and refuted Ashraf’s version of events. He acknowledged a minor disagreement between Ranjith and Oduvil Unnikrishnan during a casual gathering on set, which he said was quickly resolved with mutual apologies and forgiveness. “It was a trivial matter blown out of proportion, presented as a scandalous incident 28 years later,” he stated.
The filmmaker also questioned why Ashraf remained silent for nearly three decades and chose to reveal this now through a YouTube channel. He alleged that such claims are often tactics employed by struggling artists to stay relevant or boost online visibility.
Padmakumar concluded his statement by praising Ranjith as a fearless artist who has often been labeled arrogant for refusing to bow to opportunistic demands. He urged individuals to critique genuine flaws but to refrain from propagating false narratives for personal gains.
The controversy remains a hot topic in Kerala’s cultural circles, with many awaiting further developments or clarifications from those involved.
