One Instagram Post… Boycott Calls Against Mohanlal’s Daughter!

— Surya Prakash Josyula

Many controversies do not begin with a big explosion. They begin quietly—with a click, a share, or an Instagram Story. The person who posts it may never imagine that, within a few hours, it will become a nationwide discussion. That is exactly what has happened in the case of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s daughter, Vismaya Mohanlal.

An Instagram Story shared by Vismaya has sparked a major debate on social media. She is facing a wave of criticism, with some users calling her “anti-national” while others are demanding a boycott of her debut film, Thudakkam. The hashtag #BoycottThudakkam has also gone viral. At a time when people were expected to discuss her first film, the focus has shifted almost entirely to her Instagram Story—an outcome that very few would have expected.

So, what exactly was in that Instagram Story?

Vismaya shared a post related to the recent NEET protests in Delhi. Following allegations of a question paper leak, students launched large-scale demonstrations demanding greater transparency in the education system. They also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and attempted to march from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament.

As the protests turned tense, police reportedly used lathi charges and tear gas, set up heavy barricades, and closed several Metro stations. Protesters also alleged that internet services were restricted. The social media post shared by Vismaya questioned these actions taken against the protesting students.

Whatever her intention may have been, many people on social media interpreted the post differently. Within a short time, criticism began pouring in. Some questioned why she had commented on a political issue, while others accused her of speaking only on selected issues. Many users labelled her “anti-national” and launched online campaigns calling for a boycott of Thudakkam.

The criticism did not stop there. Some users linked the controversy to the political debates that surrounded director Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Empuraan, while others referred to the Pahalgam terror attack while criticizing her. A section of social media users also dragged Mohanlal into the controversy.

The timing has made the issue even more significant for Vismaya. She is preparing to make her acting debut with Thudakkam, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. The film had already generated interest within the industry. However, instead of discussing the movie, the conversation has now shifted almost entirely to her Instagram Story.

This is not the first time that actors, directors, or members of film families have faced trolling and boycott campaigns after expressing their views on social or political issues. Many believe that social media is no longer just a platform for sharing opinions. In some cases, it has become a space where people deliver their verdict long before the public gets to see the actual work.

Has Mohanlal responded? So far, the veteran actor has not made any public statement on the controversy. Vismaya has also remained silent and has not responded to the trolling.

At the time of writing this article, there is no confirmed information that Vismaya deleted the Instagram Story because of the controversy. She has also not issued any official explanation regarding her intention behind sharing the post.

Ultimately, the incident raises a larger question. Do celebrities have the right to express their views on social or political issues, or should every social media post be linked to their films, family, and career?

People may disagree with an artist’s personal opinion, and they have every right to criticize a social media post. That is a natural part of a democracy. But disagreeing with a post is one thing; rejecting an artist’s work before even watching it is another. Is it fair to judge an artist solely on the basis of a social media post, even before seeing the film or the performance? That is the question this controversy has left behind.