Latest news with #AshrafHamsa
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- The Hindu
Excise arrests cinematographer Sameer Thahir, released on bail
The Excise department on Monday arrested cinematographer-turned-director Sameer Thahir in connection with the incident in which Malayalam movie directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa were nabbed from his apartment, near Marin Drive, in Kochi with 1.5 g of suspected hybrid ganja during a pre-dawn raid on April 27, 2025. Later, he was released on bail. He was booked under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Section 25 (punishment for allowing premises, etc, to be used for commission of an offence). The flat was taken on rent under his name, according to Excise officials. After the arrest of Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, the Excise officials had served a notice on him asking to appear for questioning. He appeared at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Ernakulam, here on Monday afternoon. 'Unaware' He reportedly told the sleuths that he was not aware of the consumption of drugs by the filmmakers. On the day of their arrest, he had left the apartment in the morning. The officers said that they had not come across any evidence to show that he had consumed drugs. The apartment is purportedly being used for film-related discussions and work. It was placed under the scanner after the Excise had received a tip-off about the suspected use of drugs by visitors. Besides the two filmmakers, one Shalif Muhammad was arrested along with them. According to excise officers, the director duo was about to use ganja when they were nabbed from the apartment. Shalif had reportedly bought the contraband from a supplier in the State. While the excise has details about the supplier, including his mobile phone number, he could not be tracked yet.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Hybrid ganja' found in possession of film directors sourced from supplier in Kerala, say Excise officials
The suspected hybrid ganja with which two prominent Malayalam movie directors were nabbed from a flat in Kochi recently was reportedly sourced from a supplier in Kerala, according to Excise officials. Film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa were arrested with 1.50 grams of suspected hybrid ganja when they allegedly were just about to use it during a pre-dawn raid on Sunday (April 27, 2025). Another person, Shalif Muhammad, was also arrested from the apartment that reportedly belonged to director-cum-cinematographer Sameer Thahir. 'It was Shalif who reportedly bought the contraband from a supplier. We have details about the supplier and are trying to track him down. His mobile phone remains switched off. More details about the source of the drug could be known only on his detention,' said Excise sources. Excise officials are set to issue a notice to Mr. Thahir shortly. The accused may be further summoned if the investigation officer gets any fresh leads warranting it. Mr. Rahman is the director of movies Alappuzha Gymkhana, Thallumala and Unda, while Mr. Hamsa directed Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. Since the quantity in their possession was small, the accused were released on bail. They reportedly claimed that they converged at the apartment to discuss a movie. According to Excise sources, the duo had escaped by a whisker in a similar raid at the apartment in March. Since then, the FEFKA Directors' Union has decided to suspend the two directors. The raid was carried out on specific intelligence input, complete with the apartment details. It came at a time when the debate about the influence of drugs in the film industry has turned louder. Actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi have appeared before excise officials in Alapuzha on Monday in connection with the seizure of 3 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from a couple in a resort in Omanapuzha in Alapuzha. Allegedly, Excise officials found mobile phone call records and WhatsApp chats linking the woman to the actors. Mr. Chacko was also involved in another bizarre incident in which he fled a hotel in Kaloor during a raid by the Kochi city police' District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force on April 16. Later, the Ernakulam Town North police summoned him and booked him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I have played the driver role in ‘Manjummel Boys',' says Khalid Rahman during interrogation
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa were arrested by Excise personnel in a pre-dawn raid on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from the apartment of a director-cinematographer in Kochi. The duo was allegedly found in possession of suspected hybrid cannabis, a discovery that has shocked the Malayalam film industry , which is already reeling from a series of drug-related allegations involving prominent personalities. "I have played the driver role in Manjummel Boys' According to 24 News, Khalid Rahman, during his questioning, attempted to mislead the officials by downplaying his involvement, stating, "I have played the driver role in Manjummel Boys , sir," in an attempt to divert attention from the gravity of the charges against him. This statement came while he was being interrogated by the Excise team, which has been actively investigating drug-related activities in the industry. Both suspended by the Directors' Union Following the arrests, both Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa were suspended by the Directors' Union, acting on the recommendations of FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala). The suspension bars the filmmakers from taking on any film projects during the period of their suspension. This swift response by FEFKA highlights the growing concerns over drug use within the Malayalam film industry. In a media interaction, FEFKA president, Malayalam director Sibi Malayil emphasized that no one, irrespective of their position, would be exempt from facing consequences in drug-related cases. Amid ' Alappuzha Gymkhana ' success Meanwhile, Khalid Rahman's entertainer movie 'Alappuzha Gymkhana', starring Naslen in the lead role is still running successfully in theatres. Khalid Rahman's previous hit film was the Tovino Thomas starrer 'Thallumaala'. The movie had received good reviews from both the critics and audiences for it's distinct style of story telling, mesmerizing songs and stunning performances.
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
3, Including Malayalam Directors, Arrested For Possessing Hybrid Ganja In Kerala
Kochi: Three persons, including noted Malayalam directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, known for several notable movies, were arrested with hybrid ganja from a flat here in the early hours of Sunday, Excise officials said. 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja was seized from them, and the trio were released on station bail later, they said. In the wake of the development, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union suspended both filmmakers from the body. In a statement issued here, the union president Renji Panickar and general secretary G S Vijayan said further steps would be initiated after examining the progress of the ongoing investigation. According to Excise department sources, a Special Squad raided the flat at around 2.00 am as they received a tip-off that drugs were being used in a flat rented by cinematographer Sameer Thahir. The third person arrested along with Mr Rahman and Mr Hamsa was their friend Shalif Mohammed, they said. "1.63 grams of hybrid ganja was seized from them, and a case was registered against them under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They were released on bail later," an Excise official said. A detailed probe was launched to find out the source of the drugs they possessed, Excise added. Excise Deputy Commissioner (Ernakulam) T M Maju said Thahir would also be summoned for interrogation soon in connection with the incident. "If he gave a space for these filmmakers for consuming drugs in his flat, we have to question him also," he told reporters later in the day. He said the Excise Department has complete support from the government and the concerned minister in these anti-drug operations. While Khalid Rahman is the director of hit movies like "Anuraga Karikkinvellam" and "Unda", Ashraf Hamsa is the maker of films including "Bheemante Vazhi". Mr Rahman's latest movie, "Alappuzha Gymkhana", is currently running in theatres. The incident happened days after actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested in a drug case after escaping from a hotel during a raid. Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan wanted organisations like FEFKA and AMMA to take a decision not to co-operate with anyone in the film industry who consumes or distributes drugs. Drug consumption is prevalent in all sectors, and there have already been allegations in connection with the film industry, the LoP told reporters in nearby Paravur when his reaction was sought on the arrest of filmmakers. Celebrities, who influence young people as role models, should not be drug consumers, he opined. Stressing the need for more stringent action against drug consumption, he said raids should be conducted wherever the usage of narcotics is reported. "The problem is that the government is not paying much attention to the enforcement. There is no point in catching those who consume drugs and release them on bail later," he said adding that the need of the hour is to find out those who supply the contraband substance.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Two film directors held during pre-dawn raid at Kochi apartment, on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja
Personnel of the Excise Department arrested two film directors during a pre-dawn raid on Sunday (April 27, 2025), on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja, from the apartment of a director cum cinematographer in Kochi. While Khalid Rahman directed movies like Alappuzha Gymkhana, Thallumala and Unda, Ashraf Hamsa directed movies like Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. The duo and one Shahid Mohammed were held from the apartment of Samir Thahir with 1.5 gm of suspected hybrid ganja. They reportedly claimed that they converged at the apartment to discuss about a movie. 'The raid was done on the basis of a tip off. The duo were released on bail by 7 a.m., since the quantity of the drug was minimum. They escaped by a whisker a similar raid we had conducted in March at the apartment. A probe is on to identify the source of the hybrid ganja,' said a senior Excise officer. Their arrest comes a few days after the controversy over an incident involving actor Shine Tom Chacko who reportedly fled from a hotel in Kaloor during a raid by the police. Subsequently, the Excise team probing a hybrid ganja seizure case served notices to him and also to actor Sreenath Bhasi, directing them to appear before them on April 28, 2025.
