Kottayam: A case has been registered against actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine for allegedly cheating film producer PS Shamnas and making unlawful gains in the production of the 2022 film Mahaveeryar. The 2022 movie, a courtroom drama blending elements of time travel and fantasy, was directed by Abrid Shine and starred Nivin Pauly.
According to the complaint, the accused committed breach of trust and fraud, wrongfully profiting at the expense of the investor. The complainant also claims that Mahaveeryar, produced by him, was both a critical and commercial failure.
To compensate for the loss, Nivin Pauly had reportedly promised to return ₹95 lakh and offer co-producer credit in Action Hero Biju 2, which is also directed by Abrid Shine. As per an agreement dated April 1, 2024, the complainant paid ₹1.90 crore towards the production expenses of the sequel.
Although the film’s title banner was officially changed from Abrid Shine Productions to the complainant’s ‘Indian Movie Makers’ banner through a letter to the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, the actor allegedly submitted an earlier agreement to a Dubai-based distributor to falsely claim production rights.
The overseas distribution rights were transferred to M/s Home Screen Motion Pictures LLC, located at 3003, Churchill Executive Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE (AP International), which also has a branch in Chennai. The distribution rights, valued at ₹5 crore, were granted to the company, which paid an advance of ₹2 crore believing the film was being produced under Nivin Pauly Juniors. The complaint alleges that the accused duped the complainant of ₹1.90 crore through this arrangement.
Based on these allegations, a case has been filed under Section 175(3) of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) at the Thalayolaparambu police station. The FIR (No. 808/2025) has been registered at Thalayolaparambu Police Station under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. SHO Vipin Chandran is leading the investigation. Relevant documents have been submitted to the judicial authorities for further proceedings.