'They forced me to transfer money': Film producer Shyam Dey alleges abduction and extortion by actors Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma
Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey, a familiar name in the industry with over 60 films to his credit, has alleged that he was abducted, confined and extorted in Goa by actor
Puja Banerjee
, her husband Kunal Verma, and their associate Piyush Kothari.
The incident came to light through a social media post made by Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey, who attached copies of FIRs, payment slips, and WhatsApp screenshots.
The post accused the trio of coercing Shyam into transferring money and attempting to force property handovers, all while threatening him with false drug charges.
FIR Lodged against Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma and Piyush Kothari
'They intercepted my car in Goa'
Shyam recounted that he had travelled to Goa with his family for a holiday. 'My family stayed with me for about five days.
They returned home for my child's education purpose, and I decided to stay on to attend to some business matters,' he said. While driving a rented car— Shyam alleged that a black Jaguar intercepted his vehicle on the main road. 'It came out of nowhere and forced me to a halt. Two men got down, approached me, and insisted I step out, all of it I assume will be there in CCTV.
At first, I refused. But then I noticed Puja Banerjee — who has been like a sister to me — was present.
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Seeing her, I let my guard down, thinking this must be a misunderstanding,' Shyam shared. According to him, he was first taken to a friend's house and then shifted to a villa. 'They made me sit in their car and took me to Amber Villa. Initially, I was kept on the first floor, but because it was too close to the road and they feared attention, I was shifted upstairs.'
Copy of complaint to Goa Police dated 03/6/2025
'They made me sign papers'
'I stayed at the villa from the 1st to the 4th of June. I wasn't allowed to leave. Every day I tried to reason with Puja and Kunal — I reminded them we were like family, pleaded with them to stop. But all I faced were threats,' Shyam said. He also alleged that he was beaten — not just by Kunal but also by other unknown men — while Puja watched. 'I told her, your husband is beating me, fine. But other men are thrashing me in front of you, and you're silent? How can this be right?'
Shyam claimed his phones were taken — two seized outright, and one kept temporarily with him under the pretext that it would help him arrange funds.
With that device, he secretly shared his live location with his wife. 'One of the phones stayed with Puja, even when she was shooting in Bombay. Police later recovered one handset from Kunal, but the other remained with her until it was returned.'
Gratitude email to SP North Goa with a cc to DGP Goa Police thanking them for recovering Shyam.
Shyam tried to make them understand because they were close
Throughout his ordeal, Shyam said he kept appealing to Puja and Kunal's better judgment. 'I told them repeatedly what they were doing was sheer madness. But they simply said, 'Don't teach us what's legal or illegal.'
I didn't want to go to the police straight away — I knew the consequences. Their careers could be ruined, and they had been close to me for years. But when they began pressing me to sign property papers, I realised this had gone too far.
' Fearing for his life, Shyam secretly filmed a video from the villa's bathroom, and his wife promptly alerted the police. The Goa Police acted swiftly, rescuing him on June 4. As of now, no official statement has been issued by Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma or Piyush Kothari.
Malabika Dey said they will pursue the matter legally and hopes the industry stands by them during what she calls a 'betrayal of trust and friendship.'
Email to SP North Goa requesting him to rescue Shyam with location details.
FIR filed
, police probe on
After Shyam Sunder Dey was rescued from a Goa villa on June 4, an FIR was lodged by Goa Police against actors Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and their associate Piyush Kothari, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
Sections 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2), and 3(5) — relating to abduction, wrongful confinement, extortion, criminal intimidation, and threats involving criminal conspiracy.
According to a detailed post by Shyam's wife Malabika Dey, Shyam was allegedly abducted and taken to Amber Villa, and held there for four days, during which he was assaulted, filmed under duress, and threatened with false implication in a narcotics case if he didn't pay ₹64 lakh. Under pressure, he transferred ₹23 lakh, including payments to Puja's assistant in Kolkata and RTGS transactions to Puja and Kunal's accounts.
Malabika's post calls the incident not just a crime, but a deep betrayal: 'This has caused irreparable emotional and psychological harm. We're pursuing justice and urge others to be cautious about the company they keep.'
"Lowest phase of our lives": Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma share their side
We have reached out to Puja Banerjee for her response but she didn't comment on the topic. Days before the FIR was filed against her and husband Kunal Verma, the couple uploaded a video on their YouTube channel, titled
'LOWEST PHASE OF OUR LIVES .. NEED UR SUPPORT , AND PRAYERS IN THIS DIFFICULT TIMES'
.
In it, they alleged they were victims of a financial betrayal by someone they considered close—claiming they lost their life savings, had to mortgage their home, and were left emotionally and financially devastated.
Watch it here:
https://youtu.be/J1b3P8lUA34?si=Yju-E_3Cjc-WF3A5
Payment transfer confirmation to Puja on 2nd June before Rescue
Payment confirmation sent to Kunal Verma with date and subsequent threats.
'I am not saying that the money they demanded was compensation for the abduction. Yes, we had professional transactions. But no business loss, no due payment can justify this kind of madness. Abduction or kidnapping can never be a fair or lawful way to settle anything. There is no excuse for what happened,'
- Shyam Sunder Dey.
Acceptance of Rs 13 lacs payment in Kolkata by Puja Banerjee's assistant, Munmum.
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