Shamnas, who co-produced Mahaveeryar (2022), also claimed he is owed over ₹90 lakh from that project.
Published Jul 17, 2025 | 3:40 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 17, 2025 | 3:40 PM
Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine. (Supplied)
A case has been registered against actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine following a financial fraud complaint by producer Shamnas from Thalayolaparambu.
He alleged that the duo extorted ₹1.9 crore, promising him a stake in the film Action Hero Biju 2. Shamnas, who co-produced Mahaveeryar (2022), also claimed he is owed over ₹90 lakh from that project.
According to the complaint, despite assurances, the distribution rights of Action Hero Biju 2 were handed over to another company without his involvement, leading to a financial loss.
According to a TNIE report, the film was allegedly registered under Shamnas’s company, Indian Movie Makers, but Pauly and Shine later entered into a ₹5 crore distribution deal with a Dubai-based firm, citing an earlier contract that listed the actor’s production house as the producer.
The complaint was filed in the Vaikom court, and the Thalayolaparambu police registered the case on the court’s direction. Nivin Pauly and Abrid Shine have been named the first and second accused, facing charges including breach of trust.
Nivin Pauly took to his social media to issue a clarification, which read: “We would like to clarify that the dispute has been under court-directed arbitration since 28.06.2025, with a gag order in place to ensure confidentiality. Despite this, a new case has been registered without respecting the court’s directions and by concealing the ongoing arbitration proceedings and manipulating facts. We will pursue appropriate legal action. The truth will prevail.”
Action Hero Biju 2, a sequel to the 2016 police procedural comedy film was announced in February 2024.
On the work front, Nivin Pauly has Akhil Sathyan’s film titled Sarvam Maya, Dear Students with Nayanthara, Baby Girl, Multiverse Manmadhan, LCU’s Benz, and one web series in the pipeline.
Multiverse Manmadhan is being touted as India’s first multiverse superhero movie. Helmed by Enkilum Chandrike director Adithyan Chandrasekhar, the film is co-written by Anandhu S Raj and Nithiraj.
Nivin Pauly and Tamil director Ram have come together for their upcoming film Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai.
The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and has already garnered appreciation from the international audience.
Nivin Pauly, Anjali, and Soori play the lead roles in the movie. Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. NK Ekhambram is the cinematographer. Suresh Kamatchi produced it under the banner of V House Productions.
Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai is touted to be a psychological romantic thriller and is set to release in March.
Nivin Pauly is also set to make his OTT debut with the web series Pharma. The series will soon premiere on Jio Hotstar.
Pharma follows the struggle of a middle-class boy who joins the pharmaceutical industry as a medical representative in his 20s.
