Popular South Indian actor Prakash Raj has claimed he has not signed any mass petition to the Kerala government asking it to keep away actor Mohanlal from the state film awards function. Talking to Onmanorama, he said, “I am neither aware of such a thing nor have I signed any such petition against Mohanlal. He is a legend, an asset to our country. How can I ever sign something against him!”

With Prakash Raj making his stand clear, it is widely believed that some vested interests are out to create an unnecessary furore over the friction in the Malayalam film industry. Mohanlal's stand on revoking the suspension of accused actor Dileep's membership of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) was widely criticised. Dileep is an accused in the 2017 actress attack case.

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Further revealing on the Dileep row, Prakash Raj said, “I have openly expressed my disappointment over taking back Dileep into AMMA. But that has got nothing to do with the award ceremony and inviting such a star as a chief guest. I have no clue as to how my name came among the 105 people who signed a complaint letter. Nobody has approached me till now with regard to this. In this matter, I am with Mohanlal."

Earlier, on Monday, a few people from the Malayalam film industry who garnered a few signatures, had written to the Kerala government that superstar Mohanlal should not be invited as the chief guest to the annual state film awards to be held here in August 8.