Case filed against Nivin Pauly, director Abrid Shine for ‘financial fraud’ in Action Hero Biju 2 deal

P S Shamnas, the co-producer of the actor's 2022 film Mahaveeryar, filed a case against Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine.

A case has been registered against Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine following a complaint by a native of Thalayolaparambu here accusing them of financial fraud, police said on Thursday. (Also read: Nivin Pauly opens up on facing a ‘difficult period’; thanks people who stood by him)

Nivin Pauly has been accused of cheating a producer.

What the FIR stated

An FIR under section 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC was registered on Wednesday night against Pauly and Shine on the complaint by P S Shamnas, who was the co-producer of the actor's 2022 film 'Mahaveeryar'. The complainant has alleged that as 'Mahaveeryar' was not a commercial success, Pauly had offered to pay him ₹95 lakh. Subsequently, the actor also promised to make him a partner in his upcoming film 'Action Hero Biju 2', directed by Shine, and made him spend around ₹1.9 crore for shooting of the movie, Shamnas has alleged in his complaint.

The movie was also registered as being made under the banner of Shamnas's company -- Indian Movie Makers -- the complaint claimed. However, Pauly and Shine allegedly entered into a ₹5 crore distribution arrangement of the film with a Dubai-based firm on the basis of an earlier contract, which showed that the movie was being made under the actor's production house, Shamnas has alleged. He contended that in this manner, by hiding the fact that the movie was registered under his company's banner, the two cheated him of ₹1.90 crore.

Meanwhile, Nivin Pauly, in a clarification statement shared on social media, stated the dispute has been under court-directed arbitration since June 28, with a gag order in place to ensure confidentiality. Nivin also stated that legal action will be pursued against the same.

Fans will see Nivin next in Sarvam Maya. A few days ago, he was announced as the lead in Girish AD's next, which would also star Mamitha Baiju.