Actor and TV anchor Sabu’s name has been dragged into the rumours surrounding the mysterious death of actor Kalabhavan Mani. Social media was abuzz on Wednesday after a report claimed that Mani was hospitalised after consuming the poisonous liquor served by Sabu and the police were on the lookout for him as he went absconding after the incident.
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The news was circulated as if it appeared on a Malayalam news channel. However, the channel denied airing any such report and filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell to trace the origin of the fake screenshot.
Sabu spoke to Onmanorama about the ‘rumour mongering’ and the malicious campaign against him.
“I have approached the Cyber Cell seeking action against those who are behind this hate campaign targetting me. It is true that I had gone to Mani Chettan’s house the day before his demise. But, I did not take any liquor with me and Mani chettan did not drink when I was there. Since I had to attend a programme at the Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram the next day morning, I left Chalakudy around 11 pm. Many others including Jaffer chettan (actor Jaffer Idukki) were there at Mani chettan’s residence.
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If I had issues with Mani chettan as claimed by that fake news, why did I go to meet him? We were good friends. The report that the movie which I was planning to produce got scrapped because of Mani chettan’s interference was absolutely baseless and a figment of imagination. The project was cancelled due to some other reasons. Sajan K. Mathew, who was to direct that movie, is also a good friend of mine. I have acted in his latest movie Oru Murai Vanthu Parthaya.
The fake report claimed that I was absconding. I have not gone anywhere from my house in Kayamkulam. The news that I was questioned by the police also is baseless. I was not called to the station as the police were satisfied with the statements given by Jaffer chettan, Peter and the others who were with Mani chettan on that day.
I got shocked when some of my friends forwarded me the screenshot circulated on WhatsApp. I can’t dismiss it as just funny or trivial. Apart from registering a police complaint, I’m trying on my own to trace the persons who are behind that fake message. When someone is trying to blame me for the death of Mani Chettan, how can I take it lightly? Mani chettan’s fans and those who love him tend to respond to such news emotionally. Who will take the responsibility if they turned against me?
If I managed to find that person who cooked up that crass report, I would definitely teach him a lesson. I’m ready to bear the legal consequences. I suspect it originated from Dubai or some other Gulf countries because I received a lot of phone calls from that region after the report surfaced on Wednesday. If I spotted him first, he will be beaten black and blue before being handed over to the police. Nobody should be subjected to such a venomous campaign in the future.”
