The Malayalam film industry is grappling with growing concerns over rampant drug abuse among actors, crew members, and support staff.
Published Apr 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM
state award-winning actor Vincy Aloshious alleged — without taking names — that a male actor had misbehaved with her at the sets of a movie, and added that he spat white powder, which she thought was a narcotic substance. (Pic: Poster of 'Soothravakyam')
Synopsis: They are talented actors. However, today, they are not talked about for their artistic excellence, but for their alleged drug abuse. They — including Shine Tom Chacko, arrested on Saturday — are merely symptoms of a larger, graver issue that has gripped the Malayalam film industry — and society — like an octopus. The issue calls for a determined drive, cutting across politics and favouritism. This is not the time to play ostrich.
The Malayalam film industry — long revered for its artistic finesse and socially rooted narratives — is once again under an unforgiving spotlight.
What began with state award-winning actor Vincy Aloshious’s bold revelation has spiralled into a full-blown controversy, further stoked by a viral video showing actor Shine Tom Chacko fleeing a hotel during a narcotics raid, followed swiftly by his arrest after hours of questioning.
But this isn’t the first time that the shadow of drugs has loomed over Mollywood.
Over the years, whispers have turned into headlines as known names were linked to narcotics use.
The Justice Hema Committee report, too, had flagged substance abuse as a lurking menace within the industry, reinforcing what many suspected but few dared to confront. However, the public glare was more on sleazy details than on drug abuse mentioned in the report.
Mollywood is confronting a disturbing script playing out behind the scenes: A growing drug menace creeping into its inner circles.
The glimmer of fame, it seems, is casting shadows of denial, silence, and substance abuse. And now, the industry must answer — how deep does the rot run?
Exactly 10 years after his sensational arrest in a high-profile drug case — Kerala’s first cocaine case — actor Shine Tom Chacko finds himself back in the eye of a storm — and this time, the police appear determined to bring him to book.
On 15 April, actor Vincy publicly accused a co-actor of inappropriate behaviour and drug use during the shoot of the yet-to-be-released Soothravakyam.
Though she didn’t name him, it later emerged that the actor referred to was Shine.
Vincy recalled disturbing incidents on set — from lewd remarks made in front of the crew to the actor spitting a suspicious white powder.
Despite her complaints, filming continued as Shine played the lead role.
The controversy deepened the next day when CCTV footage surfaced showing Shine fleeing a hotel in Ernakulam during a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) raid.
Summoned by the police, Shine finally turned up at the police station on 19 April and was arrested after four hours of questioning, though under bailable charges.
His past caught up too: In 2015, he was arrested in a cocaine case along with four women models from a Kochi flat, but was acquitted in February 2025 after the court cited investigative lapses and the absence of cocaine traces in blood tests.
This time, however, with mounting public pressure and more stringent law enforcement, the police seem less inclined to let him off easy.
The Malayalam film industry is grappling with growing concerns over rampant drug abuse among actors, crew members, and support staff.
From cannabis to synthetic drugs, the easy availability of narcotics on film sets has raised alarms across the board.
A string of recent incidents paints a disturbing picture: In 2023, actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were banned by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and the Kerala Film Producers’ Association for unprofessional conduct allegedly linked to substance abuse.
Adding to the growing concerns, actor Tini Tom publicly warned in May 2023 about rampant drug use in the industry, citing the deteriorating health of a young actor due to addiction.
In March 2025, a prominent makeup artist was caught with 45 grams of hybrid cannabis by the Moolamattam Excise team, echoing earlier controversies involving well-known actors.
In April 2025, a woman, Christina alias Taslima Sultana, a Chennai native, was arrested in Alappuzha. Caught with hybrid ganja worth ₹2 crore, she reportedly told interrogators that actors Shine and Sreenath were among her clients.
Excise officials reportedly obtained digital evidence linking her to both actors.
In another blow, on 10 April, a stunt artist named Maheswaran—part of a Malayalam film crew—was apprehended from a hotel in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, with 16 grams of ganja.
The contraband, concealed inside a hollowed-out dictionary, included several small packets, suggesting possible distribution within the film unit.
These developments underscore an alarming pattern: Substance abuse is not just an individual failing but a systemic issue plaguing the Malayalam film industry.
The Justice Hema Committee report, reluctantly released by the Kerala government on 19 August 2024, exposed the deep-rooted issue of drug and alcohol abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
Substance use, the report revealed, was not just widespread but normalised across all levels of the industry—from actors to technicians. Testimonies indicated that many arrived on sets under the influence, compromising both professionalism and safety.
The report drew a clear link between intoxication and incidents of harassment and exploitation, particularly against women, noting that impaired judgment often fuels misconduct.
One of the most disturbing revelations was the presence of a drug mafia that supplies psychotropic substances with impunity, operating openly at film sets, wrap-up parties, and other industry gatherings.
Despite prior controversies, like the 2023 bans on actors Shane and Sreenath for alleged substance-linked disruptions, the industry had largely failed to take sustained corrective action.
The report criticised the lack of regulatory oversight and the indifference of enforcement agencies, which emboldened offenders and perpetuated a toxic culture.
To address this, the committee recommended a zero-tolerance policy on substance use at workplaces, contractual enforcement, clear signage, increased government surveillance, and awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders.
Importantly, the report underscored that drug and alcohol abuse was inseparably tied to the broader problem of exploitation in the industry.
Without confronting this nexus, it warned, any effort to create a safe, ethical work environment would remain incomplete. The findings called for urgent and collective action to restore accountability, safety, and dignity in Malayalam cinema.
Following Vincy’s revelation that a co-actor, allegedly under the influence of drugs, misbehaved with her during a film shoot, Kerala ministers Saji Cherian and MB Rajesh came out strongly against drug abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
Cultural Affairs Minister Cherian called the complaint “serious” and lauded Vincy for her courage in addressing such a sensitive issue.
He emphasised that the government would investigate the matter without bias and warned that no illegal activity tarnishing the industry’s reputation would be tolerated.
Excise Minister Rajesh echoed the same sentiment, stating that the government would act even in the absence of a formal complaint and that the excise department would probe the matter thoroughly.
He affirmed that film sets have not been exempted from legal scrutiny, and ongoing inspections and seizures underlined the government’s resolve to curb drug abuse wherever it exists.
“There is no sacred place when it comes to enforcing the law. The goal is to prevent the spread of drugs, whether it is on film sets or elsewhere,” he said.
Despite tall claims and tough talk, enforcement on the ground paints a different picture.
Whispers spoke about law enforcement agencies — including the police and excise — were well aware of several prominent names in the film industry, allegedly involved in drug abuse.
Yet, a deliberate blind eye appeared to be turned toward this dirty business. Speculations abound that these individuals were being shielded by powerful political connections.
Officials admitted that while probes do begin with promise, investigations often hit a wall, either stalling midway or failing to produce conclusive results due to a lack of evidence.
Interestingly, some film industry bodies claimed to possess a list of habitual drug users, and police have confirmed that around 300 individuals linked to the drug trade were currently under scrutiny — some reportedly from the entertainment sector.
However, the reality remains grim.
After the initial bursts of action and media glare, the enthusiasm of enforcement agencies wanes, allowing the culprits to return to their sinister routines with impunity.
According to an official of the Cultural Affairs Department, to ensure a healthier and more responsible environment on film sets, it is crucial to implement strict no-drug policies, with random testing and clear consequences, akin to safety-sensitive industries.
“We all know what happened when a proposal was made by the police to deploy shadow police at film sets to check drug abuse. The film bodies vehemently opposed it, and the plan got derailed. The raids on film sets are also not that rampant,” said the officer to South First.
The official point out that contracts should include explicit clauses addressing substance abuse, setting a clear standard for professionalism. Industry collaboration is key in developing unified policies—bringing together industry organisations such as AMMA, FEFKA, and the Producers Association to work towards a collective approach.
Meanwhile, the official also pointed out that the drug issue was not unique to Kerala’s film industry. Bollywood and Hollywood have also faced similar challenges, with Bollywood grappling with legal action and public scrutiny, while Hollywood has embraced rehabilitation programmes for its stars.
To combat the drug menace effectively, it is crucial that all stakeholders, particularly the influential leaders of the industry, step forward with a sense of responsibility and commitment.
The Malayalam film industry should well remember that the time to act is now, and together, and thereby it can ensure that the stars of tomorrow shine brighter, without the cloud of addiction.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
