Actor Nivin Pauly, director Abrid Shine booked for allegedly cheating producer in film investment dispute-OxBig News Network

A case of cheating has been registered against actor Nivin Pauly and filmmaker Abrid Shine following a complaint lodged by a resident of Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam, Kerala.

The first information report (FIR), filed on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) night, cites Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), based on a complaint by P.S. Shamnas, co-producer of the 2022 film Mahaveeryar.

According to the complaint, after the commercial failure of Mahaveeryar, the actor allegedly assured Mr. Shamnas a compensation of ₹95 lakh and a partnership in his upcoming film Action Hero Biju 2, to be directed by Abrid Shine. Relying on this promise, Mr. Shamnas invested around ₹1.9 crore in the new project.

Though the film was initially registered under the banner of Indian Movie Makers, owned by Mr. Shamnas, the actor and the director allegedly entered into a ₹5-crore distribution deal with a Dubai-based firm, citing a prior agreement that listed the actor’s own production company as the producer. It is further alleged that the actor also obtained ₹2 crore as advance from the Dubai-based company.

The complainant has accused the duo of deliberately concealing the film’s actual registration details to defraud him of his investment.