The Enforcement Directorate has questioned one of the producers of the superhit Malayalam movie, Manjummel Boys.
According to media reports, the ED is probing allegations of financial irregularities against the production house, Parava Films Llp, which produced Manjummel Boys. The ED reportedly questioned producer Shawn Antony during the probe. Actor Soubin Shahir is expected to be questioned by the agency soon.
According to media reports, the ED sent notices to Soubin Shahir, his father Babu Shahir and producer Shawn Antony.
The ED had received complaints of financial irregularities in the Malayalam film industry, and the agency had initiated a probe targetting production houses.
Parava Films has been mired in controversy after Siraj Valiyaveettil, a native of Alappuzha, levelled serious charges against the makers of the movie. In his complaint, Siraj claimed that he invested Rs 7 crore in the movie as he was under the impression that the total budget of the movie was Rs 22 crore. However, he later realized that the film was shot with a budget of only Rs 18.65 crore.
In the complaint, he had also said that although he was promised 40 per cent of the total share of the profit, he hasn't received it. The police have filed a report in the Kerala High Court following investigations.
The ED case against the producers of Manjummel Boys began after the complaint by Siraj against the makers of the movie came out.