Assault Case Twist: Unni Mukundan claims ex-PR's allegations are to ruin his bond with Tovino Thomas

In a week that was meant to be about film promotions and cinematic conversations, the Malayalam industry found itself in the midst of a heated controversy involving actor Unni Mukundan and his former PR manager Vipin Kumar. What began as a professional fallout quickly spiralled into a public spat, complete with police complaints, media statements, and industry-level interventions. And, in an unexpected twist, fellow actor Tovino Thomas’ name entered the narrative despite his silence on the matter.

The trouble reportedly started after Vipin Kumar posted praise for Tovino Thomas’ latest film Narivetta, a move that allegedly irked Unni Mukundan. According to Vipin, the actor took offence and subsequently terminated their professional relationship. The situation worsened on Monday evening when Vipin filed a police complaint at the Info Park police station in Kochi, accusing Unni of physical and verbal assault. He claimed that Unni called him to a parking lot under the pretext of a discussion and then hit him in the face, broke his sunglasses, and threatened him.

The FIR reportedly cites multiple sections under the newly implemented Bhariya Nayay Sanhitha (BNS), including charges for voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and damaging property. Vipin has also approached both FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala) and AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) for support.

In the days following the complaint, the story has turned into a full-blown media spectacle. Vipin, who worked with Unni for over six years, has accused the actor of taking out personal and professional frustrations on those around him. He referenced the box office failure of Get Set Baby and claimed that Unni’s directorial venture was shelved after backing was withdrawn by Gokulam Movies. According to him, Unni’s declining career graph post-Marco might be fuelling his alleged aggression.

Unni Mukundan, for his part, has firmly denied the assault allegations. In a statement to Manorama Online, the actor said he did visit Vipin’s flat with a mutual friend but claimed the interaction was civil and happened under CCTV surveillance. While he admitted to breaking Vipin’s sunglasses, he insisted that there was no physical violence involved. “I did not assault him. This is an attempt to ruin my image,” Unni said. He further alleged that Vipin was blackmailing him and had been taking undue credit for publicity work during the release of Marco.

Interestingly, Unni also clarified that the fallout had nothing to do with Tovino Thomas. He claimed to have spoken to Tovino directly to clear the air and emphasized their friendship, stating, “No false rumour can damage our bond.” However, the timing of Vipin’s praise for Tovino’s film and Unni’s alleged reaction has added layers of speculation to an already volatile situation.

Tovino, who has maintained a dignified silence throughout, continues to promote Narivetta actively on social media. Though he hasn’t addressed the controversy, his name being dragged into the conversation has raised eyebrows. Fans and industry watchers are hoping the actor stays clear of what appears to be an increasingly messy dispute.

The legal battle is now underway, and the next steps will likely unfold based on CCTV footage, witness accounts, and internal industry investigations. For now, it’s a classic case of “he said, he said,” with each side defending their version of events and trying to control the narrative.

What’s unfortunate is that the shadow of this controversy looms over Marco, a film that once promised to be a game-changer for Unni Mukundan.

In an industry where image is everything and loyalty is rare, this case serves as a reminder of how quickly things can unravel when trust breaks down. Whether justice prevails or not, the damage to reputations on both sides may be hard to repair.

As the Malayalam cinema audience waits for more clarity, one thing is certain, the truth, when it does come out, will have consequences far beyond the headlines.