Kochi: Actor-producer Soubin Shahir was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the 'Manjummel Boys' movie financial fraud case on Friday. This action by the ED follows a complaint of financial fraud related to the film. Earlier, the ED had questioned Shawn Antony, one of the producers of the movie.

The ED launched investigation after receiving complaints about black money transactions in the film industry, primarily focusing on production companies. The case was triggered by a complaint filed by Siraj Valiyaveetil from Alappuzha Aroor against the producers of 'Manjummel Boys', alleging that he was cheated out of profits and investments by Parava Films, the production company associated with the film.

The police, upon investigation, found substantial evidence of financial fraud and subsequently submitted their report to the High Court. The ED's involvement stems from these findings, aiming to determine if any illicit financial transactions were involved in the film's production.

Initial investigations by the police included statements from Siraj and scrutiny of relevant bank records, confirming allegations of financial misconduct by the film's producers. The complaint stated that Siraj had invested Rs 7 crore in the film, with the producers falsely inflating the total production cost to Rs 22 crore, when it was actually Rs 18.65 crore. The producers allegedly deceived Siraj about the completion of the film's initial schedule and failed to reimburse him any funds.

Despite promises of a 40% profit share in the film's success, Siraj claims he did not receive any payment, despite the movie's clear commercial success. Siraj estimates his losses to be around Rs 47 crore.

Earlier, the High Court had stayed the arrest of the accused in the fraud case. The lawyer representing the producers of the film 'Manjummel Boys' had also withdrawn from the case earlier.