'All that glitters is not gold; Reality behind Philip Mampad's family life'

Film director Alleppey Ashraf warned people not to blindly fall for the ornate words of motivational speakers who give lectures on love, family union and decorum. Ashraf was alluding to the arrest of popular motivational speaker and police official Philip Mampad, who was arrested the previous day over allegedly sexually harassing a minor.

Ashraf:

"Philip and his wife Dolly became popular through the reality show ‘Veruthe Alla Bharya’ years ago. The couple garnered fans through the show, and Philip, later, through his motivational speaker role, only increased the following. However, now, the revered figure of Philip among thousands lay shattered as the police official was arrested over charges of sexually abusing a minor girl who is also mentally challenged.

Many couldn’t come to terms with the arrest, as Philip would have been the last person they expected to be arrested for such a crime. The anecdotes Philip shared with people through his oratory flair had, over the years, carved a personality cult that seemed impregnable. Philip used to share stories from his childhood, his days as a chronic alcoholic and how he gave up drinking in exchange for his wife’s love and care.

Still, there is a large section of people who believe the case to be a cooked-up one, to trap the official. Those people should understand that it is a case involving a high-ranking police official, and it is unlikely that the police would go for an arrest without having something concrete as evidence against Philip.

However, from what I got to know, Philip least applied the ethos he boasted on stage, in his personal life. His family life is far from perfect. However, it is a relief that the truth came out. It would definitely be of great help to more minor girls, who would have fallen into his trap.

The arrest in some way unveiled the mask worn by the man to shroud his real self in public space. It is a lesson for society not to judge a book by its cover.