Social media has been rife with speculation around Malayalam actor Mammootty’s health, after unverified sources claimed he had stepped away from filming following a cancer diagnosis.

However, the actor’s team has clarified that he is simply “on a break”. A statement released on Sunday read, “It is fake news. [Mammootty] is on vacation because he is fasting for Ramzan. He is on a break... because of that.”

Rumours first spread after a Reddit user claimed that the 73-year-old had been diagnosed with early stage colon cancer. This quickly spread online, leaving many concerned. But the actor’s statement has reassured fans that he will resume shooting for filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan’s upcoming project after the break.

Interestingly, Mammootty was spotted on the sets of the film — tentatively titled MMMN — last month. The project also stars Nayanthara and sees Mammootty and Mohanlal reunite on screen 16 years after Twenty:20 (2008).