Nivin Pauly, Abrid Shine called for interrogation in Rs 1.9 crore cheating case

Malayalam cine actor Nivin Pauly and filmmaker Abrid Shine have been issued a notice by the Thalayolaparambu police to appear for interrogation in connection with a cheating case involving P.S. Shamnas. According to OnManorama, the duo were issued a notice via WhatsApp.

“They will be summoned for interrogation at a time convenient to them. A detailed quizzing is required to investigate the allegations in the complaint,” the publication quoted the official as saying. According to reports, Pauly and Shine will also have to produce their bank statements and related documents.

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The case emerged based on a complaint by Shamnas, who alleged that the pair swindled him out of Rs 1.9 crore for the production of a film. Shamnas, who co-produced the 2022 fantasy flick Mahaveeryar with the duo, claims he was promised Rs 95 lakh, but after the film failed at the box office, he was not paid.

Shamnas was also allegedly promised as co-producer in the sequel to Action Hero Biju, directed by Shine and starring Pauly, prompting him to invest Rs 1.90 crore in April 2024 for its production.

Shamas states that the film’s title was transferred to his company, Indian Movie Markers, via the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce. He then accuses Pauly of misleading a UAE-based company, Home Screen Motion Pictures LLC, into believing that the rights belonged to Pauly’s company, Pauly Jr. Pictures, purchasing the overseas rights for Rs 5 crore based on an outdated agreement.

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While the duo also received a Rs 2 crore advance, it cost Shamnas a Rs 1.90 crore loss. The police have booked Pauly and Shine under IPC Section 406 (criminal breach of trust), IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and Section 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention). 

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