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.
