Director Shamzu Zayba Accuses Producers of Targeting Him in Fraud Case

Director Shamzu Zayba Accuses Producers of Targeting Him in Fraud Case

Director Shamzu Zayba, who was recently released on bail in a financial fraud case, has made serious allegations against the producers of the film Abhilasham, accusing them of deliberately targeting him. In a media interaction, he also raised questions about the manner in which the police conducted his arrest, highlighting concerns over procedural fairness.

Shamzu Zayba Details His Arrest Experience

According to Shamzu Zayba, he informed the police that he was away for a shoot and would contact them upon his return, but they behaved as if he was attempting to evade arrest. He explained the sequence of events, stating, "The police never informed us about the FIR that was filed on February 3; we only learned about it through news channels. They contacted me and the other technicians only on February 16. I had told them I would be away in Muhamma, Alappuzha for a shoot and would get in touch as soon as I returned. I reached my flat on the evening of February 17 and went to sleep. That’s when the police barged in and arrested me." This account underscores his claim of being caught off-guard and denied basic courtesy during the arrest process.

Industry Bodies Criticize Police Actions

The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from industry bodies, including the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). B Unnikrishnan, general secretary of FEFKA, along with the directors’ union working general secretary Sohan, questioned why the police acted so late at night and without prior notice. They emphasized that the director was denied fundamental rights and human decency. Sohan stated, "The police are expected to uphold basic rights and show human decency when taking someone into custody. In Shamzu’s case, they failed to meet that standard." This criticism highlights broader concerns about law enforcement practices in the entertainment industry.

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Allegations of Reputation Damage by Producers

Shamzu Zayba further alleged that the producers of Abhilasham had tried to undermine him from the very beginning of the project. He claimed they were actively seeking opportunities to ruin his standing in the industry, saying, "This was their attitude from Day 1 of the film shoot. They kept stating that they won’t let me finish the film and would even damage my reputation." He added that the film was completed only due to the collective effort of the technicians, with unpaid wages causing delays. "I had to gather the whole team and negotiate with the producers so we could complete the shoot. Even after we finished filming, it took more than a year for the movie to finally get released," he explained, pointing to ongoing financial disputes.

Producers Defend Their Legal Complaint

In response, reports indicate that the producers initially took their grievances to the Producers' Association before opting for legal action. Association president B Rakesh told the media that multiple complaints were filed, including allegations of fund mismanagement and failure to return a car provided for the shoot. Shamzu Zayba denied these claims, stating that the car had mechanical issues and was subsequently handed over to a garage, adding another layer to the conflict.

Technicians Raise Concerns Over Unpaid Wages

The issue of pending payments has also been raised by technicians involved in the film. FEFKA cinematographers’ union general secretary Sujith Vaasudev reiterated the matter, while the Producers' Association maintained that full payment was contingent on the film's profitability. Cinematographer Sajad Kaakku expressed surprise at being named in the FIR and cited unpaid wages as the core issue. He elaborated, "I was assured I would be paid for my work, even though nothing was put in writing at the time. But when the payment didn’t come, I took the matter to the FEFKA directors and the CUMAC union. After several discussions, the producer paid me a portion of what I was owed once the film’s musical rights were sold and promised to give the remaining amount after the OTT release. Later, however, she said she couldn’t pay the balance due to financial difficulties." This highlights the financial struggles faced by crew members in the industry.

The case continues to unfold, with Shamzu Zayba's allegations sparking debates over ethics and accountability in film production and law enforcement procedures.