Kochi: It seems to be nerve-racking anti-climax for hit-maker Aashiq Abu. A Malayali expatriate has aired allegations of financial fraud against the film-maker who turned producer for the Dileesh Pothen film Maheshinte Prathikaram, released in 2016. The blockbuster was one of the highest grosser in the year.
CT Abdul Rahman, an industrialist, in his complaint filed with the Malayalam Producers Association, said his company, which invested Rs 2.40 crore in the production of the movie, was promised 60 per cent of the profit apart from the principal amount. He said only Rs 1.85 had been paid back.
Excepts from the complaint:
The film Maheshinte Prathikaram' was produced jointly by the complainant's company Oneness Media Mill and OPM Dream Mill Cinemas, which is helmed by Aashiq Abu as its managing director and Santosh T Kuruvila as its chairman. An amount of Rs 2.40 crore, which formed 60 per cent of the total cost of production, was spent by Oneness Media Mill. Though a profit, apart from the invested money, was promised, it was not fulfilled. Only Rs 1.85 was paid back in different installments. Some Rs 55 lakh of the invested amount is still overdue.
The film had earned Rs 8 crore as theater collection, Rs 4 crore as satellite rights, and over Rs 2 crore in the form of overseas and remake rights. But not a single rupee had been paid as profit share. Though Aashiq Abu and Santhosh were contacted several times, no money was forthcoming. The producers' association was being approached as all attempts turned nought, the complaint said.
The complaint was filed along with supporting documents to prove payment. Rahman sought the association's intervention to 'force a just move from Ashiq Abu' who often strikes a moral high ground on social media.
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