After Manjummel Boys, ED To Examine Financial Records Of Malayalam Blockbusters From Last 5 Years

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is preparing to launch an investigation into the financial dealings, including production costs, of all blockbuster films produced in Kerala over the past five years. This move comes amid allegations against the producers and distributors of Manjummel Boys of inflating box office figures for purposes related to money laundering.

According to On Manorama, the ED has sought legal advice to freeze the bank accounts of the producers and distributors of Manjummel Boys, which reportedly collected nearly Rs 220 crore at the box office. The ED has reportedly received information from two filmmakers regarding the alleged instances of black money practices within the theatre sector in Kerala.

Read Also: Manjummel Boys Records Rs 200 Crore Globally – How This Survival Thriller Become A Sensation

In the past five months this year, the Malayalam film industry has had huge box office hits with around Rs 720 crore earned. Apart from Manjummel Boys, three other Malayalam films – Premalu, Aadujeevitham, and Aavesham – have crossed the Rs 100 crore box office mark.

Siraj Valiyathara Hameed, an investor in the film, had filed a complaint claiming to have been cheated by the makers of the film after having not received his share of profits, 40 percent, from Parava Films. A case was registered on April 23 against Shawn Antony and Parava Films. The Ernakulam First Class Magistrate Court then ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of the producers.

Read Also: ED Registers Money Laundering Case Against Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s Daughter

Following the disagreement over profit-sharing in Manjummel Boys, the ED began an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). An Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered against the producers, and the founders of Parava Films – Soubin Shahir, Shawn Antony, and Babu Shahir – were sent notices.

Both Soubin and Shawn were also questioned by the ED in the matter.