Forgery Allegations: Nivin Pauly vs. Producer P A Shamnas

Kochi: Police have filed a case against Malayalam film producer P A Shamnas for allegedly forging actor-producer Nivin Pauly’s signature to acquire the title of the upcoming film "Action Hero Biju-2." The complaint was lodged by Pauly, leading to the registration of an FIR against Shamnas under IPC sections 465 (forgery) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), according to police sources.

In the 2023 agreement signed by Nivin Pauly, director Abrid Shine, and Shamnas, all rights to the film “Action Hero Biju-2” were vested in Pauly’s production company, Pauly Junior. Nivin Pauly claimed in his complaint that Shamnas deceitfully obtained the film's title rights from the Kerala Film Chamber by concealing this agreement. To achieve this, Shamnas allegedly presented a document bearing a forged signature of Pauly. Upon these revelations during the police investigation, the Palarivattom police registered a case against Shamnas.

Additionally, the police had previously registered a case against Nivin Pauly following a complaint by Shamnas, who asserted that he owned the rights to the film and accused Pauly Junior Company of selling the overseas rights to another company without his consent. The complaint further alleges that Shamnas was conspiring to publicly disgrace Pauly and manipulate the situation by making threats during the ongoing contract dispute.

The first part of the film, "Action Hero Biju" (2016), starring Nivin Pauly and directed by Abrid Shine, was a significant success in the Malayalam film industry.