Who is Vismaya Mohanlal? Malayalam superstar's daughter reacts to backlash over support for students' protest, says, 'If the same happened tomorrow...'

Vismaya Mohanlal, daughter of Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal, has found herself at the centre of a heated social media debate after speaking in support of students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak issue. While several users criticised her remarks and even called for a boycott of her debut film Thudakkam, Vismaya has made it clear that she does not regret what she said.

Speaking publicly about the controversy for the first time, the author-turned-actor said she believes democracy is built on dialogue and that people should always have the freedom to question those in power. Her comments have once again put the spotlight on the 35-year-old, who has largely stayed away from the public eye despite being born into one of Malayalam cinema's most celebrated families.

Vismaya Mohanlal stands firm amid online backlash

The controversy began after Vismaya expressed support for students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak. Her post quickly drew criticism online, with some users branding her "anti-national" and urging audiences to boycott Thudakkam, the film that marks her acting debut.


Addressing the backlash in an interview with FTQ with Rekha Menon, Vismaya said, "I stand by what I said. I believe that we are a democracy. We should always be allowed to question and be heard. We should always have dialogue instead of force, and I don't think your politics should ever supersede your humanity. Regardless of which party is in power, if the same happens tomorrow, I would still feel the same way."

Vismaya further stated that humanity should never take a back seat to politics.

In her original social media post, Vismaya had also clarified that supporting the students' right to protest did not mean everyone had to agree with their demands. However, she argued that the use of force against people who are peacefully raising their voices should concern every citizen.

Her remarks sparked a wider conversation online, with supporters praising her for standing by her beliefs while critics questioned her stance.

Major Ravi backs Vismaya's comments

Amid the criticism, filmmaker Major Ravi publicly came out in support of Vismaya. During a social media live session, he said he has known her since childhood and believes her comments came from compassion rather than politics.

According to Major Ravi, Vismaya was deeply moved by the struggles faced by the students and reacted from a humanitarian perspective. He urged people not to interpret her post through a political lens, saying her intention was to express empathy rather than endorse any political ideology.

Vismaya was not the only film personality to face criticism over the protests. Actor Tovino Thomas also received backlash on social media after expressing support for the students.

Despite the online controversy, Vismaya has continued to promote Thudakkam, which is scheduled to release in theatres on August 7.

Who is Vismaya Mohanlal?

Although she is the daughter of Mohanlal and producer Suchitra Mohanlal, Vismaya has spent much of her life away from the glare of the entertainment industry. Instead of making an early entry into films, she pursued her interests in literature, painting and martial arts. However, she worked as an assistant director on her father's upcoming 3D fantasy film Barroz,

She first gained recognition as an author with Grains of Stardust, a collection of poems and artwork that showcased her creative side. The book drew appreciation from several readers, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, who praised her work.

Apart from writing and art, Vismaya is also a trained Muay Thai martial artist. She underwent professional training in Thailand.
Now, she is preparing to step into Malayalam cinema with Thudakkam, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. The family drama and action thriller marks her first film as a lead actor and is among the most anticipated Malayalam releases of the month.