Kerala HC quashes cheating case against Nivin Pauly, director Abrid Shine after out-of-court settlement in dispute over film rights

The Kerala High Court has quashed the cheating case against actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine, registered with the Thalayolaparambu police station. 

Justice P.V. Balakrishnan noted that the parties had reached an out-of-court settlement in the dispute that had led to the registration of the case. 

The complainant, P.S. Shamnas had filed the complaint with the Thalayolaparambu police following a financial dispute related to the making of the film Action Hero Biju 2. Mr. Shamnas had alleged that after entering into an agreement to produce the film, its overseas rights were allegedly sold to another party without his knowledge. 

Dismissing the case, the court observed that the offences alleged against Mr. Pauly and Mr. Shine were not grave and did not have a serious impact on society.

Mr. Pauly and Mr. Shine had allegedly assured Mr. Shamnas that the losses incurred through the investment of ₹3.5 crore in Mahaveeryar, another Malayalam movie, would be made up through Action Hero Biju 2. However, the accused had allegedly sold the film’s overseas rights to a Dubai-based firm for ₹5 crore.