Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan has become embroiled in a significant controversy following accusations of physical assault made by his former assistant, Vipin Kumar. The incident, which has captured media attention, also involves fellow actor Tovino Thomas, with initial reports suggesting the alleged altercation stemmed from Kumar's praise for Thomas. Mukundan has strongly refuted these claims, attempting to clear the air regarding his relationship with Thomas and providing his own account of the events and his past association with Kumar.

The controversy ignited when Vipin Kumar publicly accused Unni Mukundan of assaulting him. According to Kumar, the alleged attack occurred in Mukundan's apartment complex and involved both verbal abuse and physical aggression. Kumar claimed that the trigger for Mukundan's alleged outburst was his positive comments about Tovino Thomas's recent film, "Narivetta." He further alleged that Mukundan used derogatory language and that this incident was a culmination of ongoing tensions, suggesting Mukundan has been mentally unstable and professionally frustrated, particularly after the underwhelming response to his recent film "Get-Set Baby." Kumar described Mukundan as having a short temper, implying such behavior was not new.

In response to these serious allegations, Unni Mukundan broke his silence, addressing the claims in an interview with Manorama Online and through social media. He categorically denied committing any act of physical assault. However, Mukundan did admit to breaking Vipin Kumar’s sunglasses during a heated exchange. He emphasized that the incident took place in a CCTV-monitored area and in the presence of a mutual friend, Vishnu Unnithan, implying transparency about the confrontation. Mukundan characterized the entire episode as "propaganda" designed to malign both him and Tovino Thomas.

To further dispel rumors of a rift with Tovino Thomas, Unni Mukundan shared a screenshot of a friendly WhatsApp conversation between them on Instagram on May 27, 2025. The exchange showed Tovino sending a voice note, to which Unni responded with a playful sticker GIF, followed by more light-hearted sticker exchanges featuring Malayalam cinema legends Mohanlal and Mammootty. Mukundan stated that he had personally called Tovino to clarify the situation, asserting that their long-standing friendship, built over years in the industry, remains intact. While Tovino Thomas has not made a public statement regarding the direct allegations, Mukundan's post was interpreted as an effort to demonstrate that all was well between the two actors.

Beyond denying the assault, Unni Mukundan leveled several counter-accusations against Vipin Kumar. He claimed that Kumar had been misusing access to his accounts and had refused to hand back passwords even after being asked for an apology. Mukundan also accused his former assistant of blackmail and of taking undue credit during the promotional activities for his 2024 film "Marco." Adding another layer to the dispute, Mukundan alleged that other complaints had already been filed against Vipin Kumar within the film industry, including one from a female actor, suggesting a pattern of unethical conduct.

Vipin Kumar, in a video interview with Asianet News, reiterated his side of the story, maintaining that Unni Mukundan used derogatory language and behaved aggressively. He painted a picture of an actor struggling with professional setbacks and exhibiting a volatile temper.

The situation remains a complex web of accusations and counter-accusations. With conflicting narratives from both Unni Mukundan and Vipin Kumar, and a celebrity friendship caught in the crossfire, the controversy continues to unfold under public scrutiny. The use of social media, particularly Unni Mukundan's WhatsApp screenshot, has added a modern twist to this celebrity saga, where private exchanges become public statements. As both sides present their versions, the truth behind the alleged assault and the professional fallout remains to be fully determined.