Nivin Pauly files FIR against producer for forging actor’s signature on documents in film rights dispute

Actor Nivin Pauly has filed a formal complaint with the Palarivattom Police Station against producer P.S. Shamnas for allegedly forging the actor’s signature in documents related to the production of Action Hero Biju 2.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) obtained by The Week, Pauly asserts that the documents used by Shamnas to file an earlier complaint of a Rs 1.90 crore financial loss against him and filmmaker Abrid Shine were forged documents.

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The core of the dispute lies in a 2023 agreement signed by Pauly, Shine, and Thalayolaparamba native Shamnas regarding the film Action Hero Biju, stating that the rights of the film were owned by Pauly’s production banner, Pauly Junior. Shamnas then allegedly concealed the agreement and acquired the rights of the film’s title from the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce by submitting a falsified version of the agreement carrying Pauly’s forged signature.

A source informed that the Kerala Film Chamber will be taking action against Shamnas and will likely impose a ban on his production company, Indian Movie Makers. The police have charged Shamnas with non-bailable charges, including presenting a fake document.

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Shamnas had earlier lodged a complaint against Pauly and Shine. He stated that he was promised to be a co-producer in the sequel to Action Hero Biju, prompting him to invest Rs 1.90 crore in April 2024 for its production. The trio had earlier worked together in the 2022 film Mahaveeryar.

He further accused Pauly of misleading a UAE-based company, Home Screen Motion Pictures LLC, into believing that the rights belonged to Pauly’s company, purchasing the overseas rights for Rs 5 crore based on an outdated agreement. Shamnas alleged that while the duo also received a Rs 2 crore advance, the producer incurred a Rs 1.90 crore loss. 

Entertainment