Nivin Pauly, director Abrid Shine booked for fraud; co-producer accuses duo of cheating; Rs 1.9 crore loss claimed

Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly and filmmaker Abrid Shine have landed in legal trouble. Reportedly, a serious complaint alleging financial fraud was registered against them.


According to PTI, the case, filed by P S Shamnas, a native of Thalayolaparambu and co-producer of the 2022 film 'Mahaveeryar', has prompted police action under IPC Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating).

Shamnas claims broken promises after ‘Mahaveeryar’ loss

According to the FIR filed on Wednesday night, Shamnas claimed that Mahaveeryar’s commercial failure led to Nivin Pauly offering him a repayment of Rs 95 lakh. In addition to this, Pauly allegedly promised to involve Shamnas as a partner in the duo’s next film, Action Hero Biju 2, to help recoup the loss.

Based on this assurance, Shamnas stated he invested around Rs 1.9 crore in the production of 'Action Hero Biju 2'. The project was also registered under Shamnas’s own production banner, Indian Movie Makers, which appeared to cement the collaboration.

Alleged deal with Dubai firm sparks fraud claim

However, trouble arose when Nivin Pauly and Abrid Shine reportedly entered into a Rs 5 crore distribution deal with a Dubai-based company — based on an earlier contract that allegedly listed the movie under Pauly’s own production house. Shamnas now claims this was done without informing him, despite the film being officially registered under his company.

He alleges this move effectively cut him out of the project’s profits and misrepresented the ownership, resulting in a financial loss of Rs 1.9 crore.

Team issue response

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Meanwhile, Nivin Pauly shared a clarification on the same via a Facebook post that 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. "