Nivin Pauly caught in controversy: Producer Sandra Thomas defends actor against Listin Stephen's veiled remarks

Dubai: Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly has reportedly found himself at the center of a swirling controversy after producer Listin Stephen made veiled accusations against a prominent unnamed actor, which many believe were directed at him.

The issue has sparked debate in the Malayalam film industry, with several insiders calling out the ambiguity and the silence of key industry bodies.

According to reports in Mathrubhumi, controversy began during a promotional event for Prince & family, a film starring Dileep and produced by Listin Stephen. Without naming anyone, Listin alleged that a major actor had made a "grave mistake," comparing it to "setting off a huge firecracker" that disrupted the film industry. While he didn’t take names, his remarks immediately set off speculation that he was referring to Nivin Pauly, especially since reports had surfaced earlier that Nivin had stepped away from the film Baby Girl, produced by Listin.

As the word spread, producer and actor Sandra Thomas publicly came to Nivin’s defense.

In a strongly worded social media post, she urged people to avoid speculation and demanded that Nivin Pauly’s side of the story be heard.

“When you throw a stone in the dark, it hits everyone,” she wrote, highlighting how unnamed accusations can unfairly malign multiple individuals. She also questioned why AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) had remained conspicuously silent during the controversy, despite being an organization meant to protect the interests of its members.

In response to the backlash, Listin Stephen attempted to clarify his position. He reiterated that he never mentioned Nivin Pauly by name and insisted that his statement was meant for a particular person who would understand the message. He expressed concern that naming names could incite fan backlash and derail professionalism in the industry.

The incident has once again spotlighted the power dynamics within the Malayalam film industry, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of industry associations like AMMA. It also underscores the perils of indirect accusations in an ecosystem rife with fan speculation and social media outrage.

As of now, Nivin Pauly has not officially responded to the controversy, and AMMA continues to maintain its silence. But the conversation around veiled targeting, accountability, and intra-industry support is far from over.