Sukumar Azhikode files defamation case against Mohanlal

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20 (PTI) Eminent literary andsocial critic Sukumar Azhikode has filed a defamation suitagainst Malayalam superstar Mohanlal for the latter''s commentthat he (Azhikode) was suffering from hallucination.

Mohanlal had made the remark last year during the rowover "undeclared ban" on actor Thilakan by the Association ofMalayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) when Azhikode took sides withThilakan and openly criticised the domination of superstars inMalayalam cinema.

In his petition, filed yesterday before the ChiefJudicial Magistrate at Thrissur, Azhikode said the actor''sremark had "tarnished" his image and sought Rs 10 lakh ascompensation.

The Judge, P S Antony accepted the petition and postedthe case for March 17 for hearing Azhikode''s explanation.

Azhikode had sent a legal notice to Mohanlal on the issuelast year, seeking his apology. But in his reply, the actorstood by his comment. "I did not want to cause any difficultyto an artiste. But he reiterated the comment in his reply,which is not pardonable," Azhikode told a TV channel.

The comment that he had "hallucination" was harsh as hewas involved in intellectual activities, Azhikode said. "Whenone''s image is tarnished and honesty is questioned, there isno other way," he said.

Mohanlal''s remarks on Azhikode was published innewspapers on February 24 last year.