‘Support should not turn into hate campaign; I can understand the pain he suffered’;  Asif Ali opens up

KOCHI: Actor Asif Ali opened up on the controversy related to music director Ramesh Narayan. The actor thanked everyone including those who supported him on social media. He said that it became clear yesterday that Malayalees love artists along with art. He was talking to the media after the film promotion held at St Albert's College in Kochi.

'My worries and issues are mine alone. Supporting me should not turn into hate campaign against someone else. I can understand the pain suffered by Ramesh Narayan. He was in the midst of many problems. He reacted like the way we all react in that one moment. I don’t think anyone will do it deliberately. It may be a reflection of the events that happened on stage at that time. I have no regrets or complaints about what happened. Talked to him on phone. He got emotional while talking. A person like him need not apologize,' said Asif Ali.

The controversial incidents happened Monday evening at Crowne Plaza in Kochi at the trailer launch of the anthology series ‘Manorathangal’ based on nine short stories by M T Vasudevan Nair.

The artists were given mementos on the occasion. The organizers of the function entrusted Asif Ali to hand over the memento to Ramesh Narayan. Asif came smiling to hand over it to Ramesh Narayan. He accepted the memento from Asif Ali without looking at his face and then called Jayaraj.

He then gave the memento to Jayaraj and accepted it from him. He then shook hands with him. Meanwhile, Asif Ali returned to his seat. When the video of it went viral, the music director faced flak for insulting the actor.