Sukumar Azhikode files defamation case against Mohanlal

Mohanlal had made the remark last year during the row over the `undeclared ban' on actor Thilakan by Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) when Azhikode took sides with Thilakan and openly criticised the domination of superstars in Malayalam cinema.

In his petition, filed yesterday before the Chief Judicial Magistrate at Thrissur, Azhikode said the actor's remark had tarnished his image and sought Rs 10 lakh as compensation. The Judge P S Antony accepted the petition and posted the case for March 17 for hearing Azhikode's explanation.

Azhikode had sent a legal notice to Mohanlal on the issue last year seeking his apology. But in his reply, the actor stood by his comment. "I did not want to cause any difficulty to 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 he was involved in intellectual activities, Azhikode said. "When one's image is tarnished and honesty is questioned, there is no other way," he said on the filing of the case.

The remarks of Mohanlal on Azhikode was published in newspapers on February 24 last year.