Soubin Shahir Arrested in ‘Manjummel Boys’ Fraud Case, Later Released on Bail

In a shocking turn of events, actor and producer Soubin Shahir was arrested by the Maradu Police in Kochi in connection with a financial fraud case related to the blockbuster Malayalam film Manjummel Boys. Co-producers Babu Shahir and Shaun Antony were also taken into custody after two days of police questioning.

However, all three were released on anticipatory bail, which had already been granted by the Kerala High Court.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Siraj Valiyathura, a resident of Aroor, who accused the trio of collecting ₹7 crore in multiple phases, promising a 40% share in profits from the film. Despite the massive commercial success of Manjummel Boys, the complainant claims he never received his agreed-upon share of the profits.

Speaking to the media, Soubin Shahir maintained that the investment had already been returned and that the profit share amount had been set aside, but the complaint was lodged just before the disbursal.

Police reports allege that investors were misled into believing the film’s first shooting schedule was completed, even though production hadn’t begun at the time. The producers’ plea to quash the case was rejected by the High Court, allowing the investigation to proceed.

In their defense, the producers claimed the investor failed to release the committed funds on time, which disrupted the production schedule and impacted revenues—ultimately leading to the delay in profit-sharing.

Despite the controversy, Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram, became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, collecting over ₹240 crore worldwide. It was particularly successful in Tamil Nadu and had a decent run in the Telugu states, even with a delayed release.

Produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shaun Antony, the film also featured Soubin in a lead role. While the project’s box office performance remains uncontested, the legal case has cast a shadow over its production team.

On the professional front, Soubin Shahir is gearing up for his role in Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth’s upcoming action drama Coolie, scheduled to release on August 14.

Article: Vijay Deverakonda Chooses ‘Kingdom’ Over Another Script Out of Respect

Vijay Deverakonda’s much-anticipated film Kingdom, directed by Gowtham Tinnanuri, has officially completed its shoot. The action drama, produced by Sitara Entertainments in association with Fortune Four Cinemas, is now in post-production and set for a grand theatrical release on July 31.

In a recent interaction, Vijay Deverakonda shared insights into how the collaboration with Gowtham Tinnanuri materialized. Interestingly, the actor confirmed that he signed on to the project even before the script was locked, purely based on his admiration for the director.

“Kingdom is a film where I picked the director before the script. I just wanted to work with him,” Vijay said.

Gowtham Tinnanuri, known for emotionally driven storytelling in films like Jersey, had pitched two scripts to the actor. While both caught his attention, Vijay made a conscious decision to drop one out of respect for another filmmaker.

“The other script was good, but it overlapped too much with something that was already in development. I know the makers, and even though we could’ve completed ours first, it didn’t feel ethical or respectful,” Vijay explained.

Instead, he chose Kingdom—a film that resonated with his personal creative goals.

“It’s an action drama, something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. And it’s told in Gautham’s unique style,” he added.

With the shoot wrapped and the trailer expected soon, Kingdom is gearing up to be a crucial release for Vijay Deverakonda as he aims to regain momentum at the box office.

“Hari Hara Veera Mallu Isn’t Based on History, Clarifies Producer AM Rathnam”

Despite being promoted as a period film rooted in history, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, starring Pawan Kalyan, is not based on a real-life historical figure. The upcoming Telugu film has sparked debates online over its historical accuracy, especially regarding the timeline of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Social media users raised questions about how the titular character, Veera Mallu—who is believed to have lived two centuries before Aurangzeb invaded the Golconda region—could be shown in conflict with the Mughal ruler. In response to the growing confusion, producer AM Rathnam issued a clear clarification.

Speaking to the media, Rathnam explained that Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a fictional story set during the Mughal era. The protagonist, Veera Mallu, is a fictional warrior crafted specifically for this narrative. The film revolves around Veera Mallu’s daring mission to steal the Kohinoor diamond during a time when diamond mining was flourishing in India.

The producer emphasized that while the film is set in a real historical period, it doesn’t misrepresent any documented historical events or figures. Rather, it creatively weaves a story of rebellion, valor, and adventure through an imaginary character.

The project initially started under the direction of Krish Jagarlamudi but was later taken over by AM Jyothi Krishna, son of AM Rathnam. With music composed by MM Keeravani and Niddhi Agerwal cast as the female lead, the trailer has already heightened excitement among fans.

Hari Hara Veera Mallu is all set to hit theaters on July 24th.