‘If one listens to what critics say, even a mother couldn't bear to listen, those who insulted Mammootty back then got what they deserved’

Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas and have Yash in the lead role, was released with huge expectations. However, the film has been receiving severe criticism. Director Alleppey Ashraf has now responded to it. In a video, he explains his views on the criticism against the film and Geetu Mohandas. He also refers to Geetu’s earlier comments about Mammootty’s film Kasaba.

His words

‘The critics have absolutely trashed the film. I have not heard a film being insulted to this extent in recent times. This is not an ordinary film. It stars Yash, a South Indian superstar, and has been released in multiple languages. The film was made with a budget of more than Rs 500 crore.

Geetu Mohandas received an opportunity that even some of the biggest directors in the history of Malayalam cinema have not received. The producer of this film had earlier produced Jana Nayakan, starring Vijay, with a budget of Rs 400 crore. The same producer also produced the remake of Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Oppam.

It is not just that Toxic has crashed at the box office, some Tamil reviews are so brutal, even a mother couldn't bear to listen. That is how harshly they are insulting the film. The production company and Yash agreed to entrust Geetu Mohandas with the direction only because they liked the story she presented. Moreover, Geetu was accompanied by her life partner, Rajeev Ravi, who assisted her and was involved in the cinematography. Rajeev Ravi is a national award-winning cinematographer. He has also directed Malayalam films such as Annayum Rasoolum and Kammatti Paadam.

We all heard the reports that it was Geetu Mohandas who made Parvathy Thiruvoth say that Mammootty’s dialogue to the female police officer in Kasaba, as well as the sequence in which he reaches around her waist and grabs her belt, was misogynistic. There was even a video that reportedly showed her being persuaded to make those remarks, which later came out as evidence.

We saw how Mammootty fans targeted and subjected Parvathy Thiruvoth to severe online abuse over those comments. Parvathy was at that time one of the most prominent and successful actresses in the Malayalam film industry. She was cyber-attacked for showering criticisms against Mammootty. Parvathy has had to endure several emotional and professional setbacks. However, Mammootty has no grudge against anyone.