Unni Mukundan Accused Of 'Ruining' Popular Malyalam Director's Reputation

The ongoing controversy surrounding the productions of Sumathi Valavu and Nadhikalil Sundari Yamuna escalated on Thursday, as scriptwriter Abhilash Pillai and director Vishnu Sasi Shankar alleged that actor Unni Mukundan was involved in a targeted PR campaign against them. Producer Murali Kunnumpurathu’s emotional video accusing the film’s team of causing heavy financial losses set off a reaction. In response, scriptwriter Abhilash Pillai and director Vishnu Sasi Shankar have refuted these claims, and offering their own version of events. The situation escalated further when they alleged that actor Unni Mukundan may have played a role in influencing negative campaign against them. As the dispute continues to unfold publicly, fans are curious

to know about their personal dynamics despite working on a film together.

Abhilash Pillai and Director Vishnu Sasi Shankar Are Unhappy With Unni Mukundan

Director Vishnu Sasi Shankar revealed that his professional relationship with actor Unni Mukundan had soured during the making of Malikappuram. Abhilash accused Unni Mukundan of attempting to influence Murali against working with Vishnu. He further alleged that Unni had a role in fueling speculation that he, and not Vishnu, directed Malikappuram. “How come Unni Mukundan directed his successful films and others helmed his flops?” he asked. He also claimed that Unni personally called Murali and discouraged him from collaborating with Vishnu.

This is not the first time Unni Mukundan's name has appeared in an issue. In 2025, Unni Mukundan faced allegations in May 2025 of assaulting his former manager, Vipin Kumar, following reported professional disagreements and a social media post, leading to a police probe. Vipin Kumar claimed he was physically attacked, but investigators later found no evidence of serious violence and termed it a minor altercation. The actor denied the accusations, saying that Kumar was never his official manager.

About Sumathi Valavu Producer Controversy

Producer Murali Kunnumpurathu, who recently released an emotional video claiming that the film Sumathi Valavu's production caused him losses of nearly Rs 7 crore. Scriptwriter Abhilash Pillai, however, has strongly contested Murali’s version of events. He stated that the producer had initially indicated a much smaller investment capacity, far below what was required to complete the project. According to Abhilash, he had clearly communicated that the film would need a minimum budget of Rs 10 crore. He further alleged that just before shooting commenced, Murali disclosed that he had only Rs 25 lakh on hand, despite earlier assurances of arranging funds. This unexpected shortfall forced the team to seek financial backing from alternative sources.

To sustain production, Abhilash said he approached a Tamil Nadu-based production house, which contributed Rs 2 crore. Additionally, a Dubai-based distributor provided Rs 1 crore as an advance. Over time, the project’s budget increased to approximately Rs 14 crore, with other producers stepping in during later stages.Abhilash claimed that Murali’s contribution remained limited, while a major portion of the funding came from external partners. Meanwhile, several technicians and actors are reportedly still awaiting payment, creating further complications. Some artists, he noted, had to be persuaded to complete dubbing due to pending dues. Interestingly, Abhilash revealed that he had previously proposed a sequel, Sumathi Valavu 2, involving Murali and had even offered support for a Tamil remake of Vellam. He questioned why the producer would agree to future collaborations if he believed the director was incapable.