Kochi: Malayalam actor and producer Soubin Shahir has landed in legal hot water after being arrested by Maradu police on Tuesday in connection with a multi-crore investment fraud linked to the blockbuster film ‘Manjummel Boys’. The arrest came following an intense four-hour interrogation, though Soubin was later released on station bail due to a prior anticipatory bail granted by the High Court.
Co-producers Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony were also arrested in the case, which stems from a complaint by Siraj Valiyathura, who alleged he invested ₹7 crore in the film in exchange for a 40% share of profits—a return he claims never materialized.
The police told the court they possess substantial evidence against the accused, and all were warned to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Ironically, the film at the center of the controversy, ‘Manjummel Boys’, was one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest commercial successes, raking in over ₹200 crore at the box office.
The high-profile arrests have sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, sparking debate over transparency and trust in celebrity-backed productions.
