Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Rappakal: Mammootty-Nayanthara hit now trolled on social media
A long time ago, in 2005, a movie called Rappakal was made in India.
It was about a man named Krishnan who worked as a helper in a big family house.
The movie was very popular and many people loved it.
One of the actors, Nayanthara, recently talked about the movie at an event for her new film.
She remembered working with her friend Geetu Mohandas on it.
But now, many people on the internet make fun of the movie.
They say Krishnan did things that were not nice, like walking into private meetings without being invited.
Some people say the movie taught bad lessons about how to treat others.
Others say it was just a movie from a different time.
So the same movie that people loved before is now being laughed at online.
Nayanthara recalled working with Geetu Mohandas on the 2005 film Rappakal at the trailer launch of Toxic in Bengaluru.
Directed by Kamal and written by TA Razzaq, Rappakal starred Mammootty as domestic worker Krishnan and Nayanthara as Gauri.
The family drama was a box-office hit in 2005, alongside Rajamanikyam, Nerariyan CBI, and Thommanum Makkalum.
The film has become one of the most trolled Malayalam movies of the 21st century, with critics saying it glorified toxic and intrusive behaviour.
Trolls even altered Rappakal's Wikipedia page, sarcastically calling Janardhanan the protagonist and Krishnan 'a public nuisance.'
- Who
- Actor Nayanthara, director Geetu Mohandas, and megastar Mammootty, who starred in the 2005 Malayalam film Rappakal.
- What
- Rappakal, once a box-office hit, has become a social media punching bag for glorifying toxic and intrusive behaviour.
- When
- The film released in 2005; Nayanthara recalled it at the recent Toxic trailer launch event.
- Where
- Bengaluru, where the Toxic trailer launch took place; the film is a Malayalam production.
- Why
- Changing sensibilities and a more sensitised audience are calling out successful films that have aged poorly.
Critics
Defenders
Film's portrayal of Krishnan
Critics
The film glorified and normalised toxic, problematic, and intrusive behaviour; Krishnan overstepped boundaries and showed little regard for others' personal space.
Defenders
The film is a product of its time and was praised and celebrated when it released; some still adore the movie.
Krishnan's mistreatment
Critics
The mistreatment Krishnan received was simply a response to his intrusive behaviour; no character was inherently good or virtuous.
Defenders
Krishnan was an innocent, naive man who was taken for granted and treated poorly by family members despite his noble nature.
- Film
- Rappakal
- Release year
- 2005
- Director
- Kamal
- Writer
- TA Razzaq
- Lead actors
- Mammootty, Nayanthara
- Box office
- Big hit
- Current status
- One of the most trolled Malayalam movies of the 21st century
- Recent mention
- Nayanthara recalled the film at the Toxic trailer launch in Bengaluru