Soubin Shahir Arrested in Manjummel Boys Financial Scam
Soubin Shahir arrested a development that has sent shockwaves across the Malayalam film industry. The actor-director, best known for his work in Manjummel Boys, was taken into custody by the Maradu police in connection with a financial fraud case involving ₹7 crore. This unexpected twist has stirred major headlines, especially considering the film’s massive box-office success and widespread acclaim.
Soubin Shahir arrested was not alone. His father, Babu Shahir, and business associate Shawn Antony were also named in the case. All three were granted anticipatory bail by the High Court, which ensured they would not be held in custody. Their arrests were recorded and they were immediately released, as per legal protocol.
Shocking Twist Behind the Malayalam Film Industry’s Biggest Hit
The case stems from a complaint by Siraj Valiyaveettil, who alleged that he invested ₹7 crore into the making of Manjummel Boys under the assumption that the film’s budget was ₹22 crore. However, he later found that the actual production cost was only ₹18.65 crore. Valiyaveettil also claimed that he was promised 40% of the film’s profits—a promise that he says was never honoured.
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Authorities believe that the accused manipulated financial records from the beginning, with the police stating in their report that the fraud may have been “pre-planned.” According to the investigative affidavit, it was made to appear as if the first schedule of the film had been completed, even though actual production had not yet started.
Soubin Shahir Arrested Amid Rising Legal Heat in ₹240 Crore Blockbuster Deal
Soubin Shahir arrested- Despite the allegations, Manjummel Boys was a massive hit. According to industry estimates, the movie earned over ₹140 crore in India and ₹240 crore globally, making it one of the biggest Malayalam blockbusters of all time. Before the release of L2: Empuraan, it held the title for the highest-grossing Malayalam film.
Directed by Chidambaram, the film is based on a real incident from 2006 involving a group of friends rescuing one of their own from the Guna Caves. The message of friendship, survival, and resilience struck a chord with audiences, earning the film both critical and commercial success.
‘തെറ്റുകാരനെന്ന് അവർക്ക് തോന്നിയിട്ടില്ല, രേഖകളെല്ലാം പൊലീസിനെ ഏൽപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്’; മഞ്ഞുമ്മൽ ബോയ്സ് സാമ്പത്തിക തട്ടിപ്പ് കേസിൽ നടൻ സൗബിൻ ഷാഹിർ#SoubinShahir #ManjummelBoys #KeralaPolice #24News pic.twitter.com/iLOcCYePzH
— 24 News (@24onlive) July 8, 2025
The cast featured a strong ensemble, including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Deepak Parambol, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, and Lal Jr., among others. It was produced under the Parava Films banner, which is now at the centre of the ongoing financial probe.
Troubles Beyond the Current Case
This isn’t the first time that Soubin Shahir’s name has come up in financial controversies. In 2024, the Income Tax Department raided his production office following accusations of tax evasion and hiding financial records. Although no formal charges were filed at the time, the current fraud allegations have reignited scrutiny over his business practices.
Adding to the complications, Manjummel Boys producers also faced legal action from legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, who sued the team for the unauthorised use of his song “Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan” from the film Gunaa.
Conclusion:
The news that Soubin Shahir was arrested over financial fraud linked to Manjummel Boys has left fans and the Malayalam film industry stunned. What began as a celebrated cinematic journey has now taken a controversial turn. With legal proceedings ongoing and public interest rising, this case could potentially reshape how Malayalam cinema handles transparency and producer-investor relations in the future.
