Legal aid to Madhu's kin: Writer praises Mammootty in emotional social media post

Screen icon Mammootty has extended legal help to the family of Madhu, the tribal youth who was lynched and killed by a mob in Attapady. Lots of messages, praising the actor’s kind gesture, have been pouring in on the social media. Meanwhile, a note posted by writer Sandeep Das about Mammootty has now become viral. He wrote that the veteran actor has always stood for Madhu and had even called the slain youth his ‘young brother’.

Sandeep Das, in his note, wrote that he was joyous when he heard that Mammootty would extend legal help for Madhu’s family. “Mammootty is the only artist who has come forward to help the family of a poor man who was mercilessly murdered by a ruthless mob. Mammootty has always been like that! I often wonder why people keep forgetting Madhu.”

“Mob violence is ingrained in Malayali’s blood. Madhu was lynched to death accusing him of theft. Did mob attacks end with Madhu’s murder? No, it didn’t. The sight of a man and a woman sitting together still vexes some old people. It is often followed by verbal abuse and physical assault. Not just lovers, married couples too become victims of such attacks.

People are thrilled to assault a person if he is found in ‘suspicious’ circumstances at night. They wouldn’t even care to enquire the reason why he is there. All these have become normalised in our society.

Madhu got the support of the Kerala society only because he was killed. If he hadn’t lost his life, the incident would have been ignored as something that happens normally. Everyone expressed shock as Madhu’s death was unexpected. However, all of us forgot him as soon as the news became cold. Besides, the intensity of our forgetfulness gathers strength as Madhu is a tribal youth. We have nothing but disdain for the tribal people. There are lots of tribals who were killed in wild animal attacks or trampled by wild tuskers. However, these deaths hardly create any stir in society. Can the people who enjoy the luxury of uninterrupted internet connectivity care to bother about the plight of the tribal people who climb atop trees or hills just to get internet reception in their mobile phones. So, it is not surprising that Madhu has fallen into the abyss of forgetfulness.

But, Mammootty isn’t willing to give up on Madhu. That is what makes him gracious and compassionate. Most people from the cinema industry had expressed shock and grief over Madhu’s death. However, they aren’t seen anymore. Mammootty is the only person who had always stood for Madhu. He is the one who called Madhu his younger brother!

The organization‘ Care and Share’ that manages the philanthropic activities of the actor has been extending help and support to the tribal communities of Kerala for ages. This organization ensures education and good health care for the tribal communities. Moreover, Mammootty himself has celebrated many of his birthdays in the company of tribal people.

I have often read that Mammootty is the first person to offer help if a colleague from the cinema industry is unwell. He never fails to attend funerals and console the family members of the demised. I cannot understand how such a person is often called arrogant and haughty. There are people who believe that Mammootty is a bad actor. However, the hundreds of characters that he had played on-screen would converse with the audience as long as cinema exists.

Mammootty has never tried to correct or reprimand anyone who calls him arrogant. It would be right to say that he doesn’t have to do that. The tribal settlements in this state would speak up for the great humanitarian in Mammootty. There is no death for Mammootty’s movies and his acts of kindness. Both of these are timeless classics that would remain forever.