Producers of Malayalam hit film Manjummel Boys summoned for questioning in cheating case

Maradu police summon Manjummel Boys producers for questioning in ₹47 crore cheating case, following blockbuster success.

The Maradu police in Ernakulam have reportedly issued notices to the producers of the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, summoning them to appear for interrogation in a case registered in connection with the alleged denial of the principal amount and profit share to an investor in the movie.

The police registered the case on April 23, 2024, against producers of the movie, Parava Films, a limited liability partnership firm, and its partner Shawn Antony, actor-producer and partner of Parava Films Soubin Shahir and his father, Babu Shahir. All the three have been summoned for questioning, it is learnt. The Kerala High Court had dismissed the petitions filed by the accused seeking to quash the cheating and forgery cases registered against them.

The police registered the case on the direction of the Ernakulam First Class Magistrate Court after Siraj Valiyathara Hameed, alleged that he was denied 40% share of the profits as reportedly promised. Incidentally, by producers’ claim, Manjummel Boys had collected over ₹200 crore following its massive theatrical success, including in Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner has since then submitted documents, including bank account details. According to the complainant, he had also paid the accused in cash.

According to the first information report (FIR), Parava Films offered the complainant a profit share of 40% if he invested in the production of the movie that entailed a cost of ₹22 crore. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between Mr. Antony and the complainant on November 30, 2022.

Thereafter, the complainant initially transferred ₹5.99 crore to the account of Parava Films maintained with the Kadavanthra branch of a bank, followed by the transfer of another ₹50 lakh to the account of Mr. Antony. Besides, another ₹51 lakh was collected in cash over some time, thus collectively borrowing ₹7 crore. The principal amount, along with the promised profit share of ₹40 crore, was not paid, thus cheating the complainant collectively to the tune of ₹47 crore, the FIR said.

The police have booked the accused under IPC Sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for cheating), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention).