Proceedings in cheating case against Nivin Pauly, Abrid Shine stayed

The Kerala High Court has stayed the proceedings in a cheating case filed against actor Nivin Pauly and director Abrid Shine in connection with the copyright of the movie Action Hero Biju 2.

A case had been registered against them by the Thalayolaparambu police on a complaint filed by film producer P.S. Shamnas. His allegation was that after entering into an agreement to produce the film, the film’s copyright was allegedly sold to another party without his knowledge.

Mr. Shamnas alleged that the petitioners promised him a co-producer role in Action Hero Biju 2 and profits from its overseas rights, after the ‘failure’ of another movie in which he had invested over ₹3.50 crore. But the petitioners sold the film’s overseas rights to a Dubai-based firm for ₹5 crore.

The petitioners contended that the dispute was civil in nature and that it lacked the elements of cheating and criminal breach of trust. They said the magistrate concerned forwarded the complaint to the police, although the police had earlier found no ground for a criminal probe in the case.

Passing the order, a Bench of Justice V.G. Arun said there was merit in the petitioners’ contention that the dispute was civil in nature and that the complainant must resort to civil remedies.