Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 23 (IANS): The circulation of a fake news that went viral on the social media on Monday morning created a piquant situation for hugely popular South Indian actor Keerikaden Jose and his family.

In the social media post, Jose was shown in a pitiable condition at a hospital in the state capital. He is seen wearing the Argentine football jersey embossed with the Number 10, worn by Lionel Messi, when he plays for his national side.

The post stated that the master villain of many South Indian films was suffering both physically and financially with none around him.

The post piqued him as well as his family that denied the social media post and said no to any public financial support.

Soon after the post, Edavela Babu, general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), got in touch with the actor and his family, and said, "Though he resides in the state capital, his family is based in Chennai. The actor had gone to Chennai for treatment of the varicose veins.

"This is the truth. There are no other issues. All that was circulating in the social media was not true," said Babu.

Jose shot into fame with his second film 'Kireedam', starring superstar Mohanlal in 1989. He played the role of the villain and didn't look back since then. He has acted in around 200 films, mostly Malayalam.

'Kireedam' is one of the all time grosser in the Malayalam film industry.

Jose retired as an officer from the Enforcement Directorate. His his wife is still in service. They have two daughters.