Post by : Rameen Ariff

Malayalam actor and producer Soubin Shahir has been denied permission to travel to the UAE for an award show, following a financial fraud case connected to the hit Malayalam film Manjummel Boys.

The Ernakulam Magistrate Court rejected Soubin’s plea to leave India on September 5 for the award ceremony in Dubai. The actor has been involved in the financial case since July 2025, when he was questioned by the authorities.

Soubin’s Legal Journey

Soubin was questioned by the Maradu police station as part of the investigation. He was granted anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court the same day he was called in, and thus was not formally arrested.

Soubin later asked the court to relax his bail conditions so he could travel abroad. He also clarified to reporters that he had submitted all documents requested by investigators and handed over his mobile phone for examination. He stated, “I believe the investigators are now convinced with the facts. Let them examine the documents and take a decision.”

Along with Soubin, his father Babu Shahir and co-producer Sean Antony have been questioned in connection with the case.

Details of the Financial Case

The case revolves around a complaint filed by Siraj Valiyathura, who alleged that the producers of Manjummel Boys promised him 40 per cent of the profits after he invested ₹7 crore in the film. Siraj claimed he did not receive his share of the profits.

According to the Maradu police report submitted to the High Court, the accused allegedly conspired to cheat the complainant.

The film’s producers, including Soubin, denied the allegations, stating that Siraj did not provide the investment amount on time, which caused delays in the film’s production schedule.

About the Film Manjummel Boys

Manjummel Boys, released in 2024, is a Malayalam-language survival thriller written and directed by Chidambaram. It was produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony under Parava Films.

The film features a large ensemble cast, including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Deepak Parambol, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S Poduval, Lal Jr, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman, and Shebin Benson.

The movie was a commercial success, earning ₹167.1 crore in India and ₹240.5 crore globally, according to Sacnilk.com.

Soubin’s Recent Work

Soubin was most recently seen in the Tamil action thriller Coolie, written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Rachita Ram, with special appearances by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.

Court’s Decision

The Magistrate Court’s refusal to grant travel permission means Soubin will remain in India until the case is resolved. The court relied on the Maradu police report and the ongoing investigation in making its decision.

This case highlights the complexities of film financing and the legal responsibilities of producers, even when movies are commercially successful. Soubin, despite being a popular actor and producer, must adhere to legal procedures before traveling abroad.