Legal trouble for 'Manjummel Boys' producers; booked on cheating charges
What's the story
The makers of the popular Malayalam film Manjummel Boys are facing legal action, accused of cheating by the Kerala Police.
One Siraj Valiyathara Hameed has reportedly lodged a complaint alleging that the producers failed to share profits as agreed.
The Ernakulam First Class Magistrate Court has instructed the police to file a case against Parava Films and their associate Shawn Antony on Tuesday, reported The Hindu.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Helmed by Chidambaram, the film was released theatrically on February 22.
It made history as the first Malayalam film to surpass the ₹200cr mark, emerging as the highest-grossing Malayalam film to date.
Additionally, it claimed the title of the highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2024, both domestically and internationally.
The film featured an ensemble cast including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S Poduval, Lal Jr, and Deepak Parambol in pivotal roles.
Financial dispute
Hameed claimed to have invested ₹7cr in production
Hameed alleged that he was promised a 40% share in profits if he funded the film's production cost, which totaled ₹22cr.
He claims to have transferred ₹5.99cr to Parava Films and an additional ₹50 lakh to producer Shawn Antony's account.
Further, the complainant stated that he loaned them ₹51 lakh in cash over time, bringing his total investment to ₹7cr.
Despite this substantial financial contribution, Hameed contends that he has not received any returns or his promised profit share.
Legal action
'Manjummel Boys' earned ₹250cr: Report
The film reportedly earned a staggering ₹250cr from box office sales, OTT, and satellite rights.
The non-payment of Hameed's initial investment and the additional ₹40cr of promised profit forms the basis of the cheating case.
In response to these allegations, the court has ordered a freeze on the producers' accounts and named Antony as the primary defendant.
The charges filed against the producers include cheating and conspiracy, indicating a potential legal showdown for those involved with Manjummel Boys.
About the movie
What is 'Manjummel Boys' all bout?
The Malayalam survival thriller is inspired by a true incident from 2006, where a group of friends from the small town of Manjummel near Kochi embarked on a trip to Kodaikanal.
During their journey, one of their friends accidentally falls into the treacherous cave known as Devil's Kitchen, or Guna Caves.
The narrative delves into the gripping story of how the group comes together to rescue their friend from the brink of death.