There was a sign of thaw in the strained relations between writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode and cine actor Mohanlal when the veteran writer went to watch the actor's latest movie ‘Pranayam' here on Wednesday.
Appreciating the performance of the actor, Prof. Azhikode said the audience could see a different Mohanlal in ‘Pranayam.' Mohanlal has reinvented himself as an actor in the movie. However, he added, it was due to the talent of the director that an actor could bring out his best in the performance.
“‘Pranayam' takes the audience through the journey of life. The film gives the message that love should not surrender to age,” said the writer.
The stand-off between the actor and writer took a serious turn when Prof. Azhikode filed a defamation suit at the Thrissur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court against Mr. Mohanlal. The suit was filed for the actor's reported comment that the writer was suffering from “hallucination.”
Mr. Mohanlal had allegedly made the remark when a controversy broke out over a labour issue involving actor Thilakan and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). Prof. Azhikode had then supported Mr. Thilakan.
The petition said that Mr. Mohanlal's remark had tarnished Prof. Azhikode's image. The actor, later, secured bail from the court.
Prof. Azhikode recently had expressed willingness to end the controversy.
