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The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Court records statement of Sreenath Bhasi in hybrid ganja case
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court- I at Cherthala on Wednesday recorded the statement of actor Sreenath Bhasi in connection with the Alappuzha hybrid ganja case. Bhasi, who appeared before judge Sherin K. George in the afternoon, recorded his confidential statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The Excise department earlier decided to make him a witness in the case. On April 28, Mr. Bhasi, along with actor Shine Tom Chacko and model K. Sowmya, appeared before the excise team probing the case. They were let off after interrogation. Though call and message details retrieved from the mobile phone of Thasleema Sulthana, one of the accused in the case, established her links with the actors, officials said they could not be named as accused in the case. Excise sleuths seized three kg of hybrid ganja on April 1 from a resort at Omanapuzha in Alappuzha. Besides Thasleema, it arrested her husband Sultan Akbar Ali and K. Feroze in connection with the case. .
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Time of India
Hybrid ganja seizure: Excise likely to summon Bhasi and model again
Kottayam: Excise department is likely to serve notices on actor and model Saumya again in connection with a probe into the seizure of hybrid ganja. The need for questioning again arose as more clarity is needed in certain aspects, according to excise authorities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They are likely to be asked to appear before the probe team in the coming days. Police recovered the WhatsApp chats between Bhasi and Tasleema Sulthan, main accused in the hybrid ganja case. Excise collected some evidence based on Bhasi's first round of questioning. He was summoned again to cross-check those details once more. Meanwhile, there are attempts to make a few as eyewitnesses in the case. Also, excise hasn't fully taken into consideration the statement given by Saumya. There are some financial transactions of amounts ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000 between the two through GPay. More evidence has to be collected to bring clarity to these transactions. Once this is completed, the model is likely to be questioned again. Besides Sulthan, 41, her husband Sulthan Akbar Ali, 43, and K Feroz, 26, are the accused in the case.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celluloid gets hooked
While Malayalam cinema wins global acclaim, a darker script plays out behind the scenes—how rampant drug abuse even amongst big stars, denial and drug cartels are pulling the strings in Mollywood 'Narcotics is a dirty business.' Mohanlal's iconic line in multiple blockbuster movies now carries a bitter irony as the acclaimed Malayalam film industry finds itself in the grip of a growing drug crisis that threatens to undermine its artistic achievements. Behind the camera flashes and critical acclaim, a troubling narrative unfolds on film sets once celebrated as creative sanctuaries. These spaces have reportedly become fertile ground for substance abuse, with powerful narcotics networks infiltrating the industry's core. Despite high-profile arrests and investigations, the industry appears reluctant to confront this reality head-on. In October 2024, the Kerala high court instructed a special investigation team to investigate widespread alcohol and drug use on Malayalam film sets, following alarming findings in the Justice Hema Committee report. Yet the problem persists, with new cases continually emerging from production locations. The arrest patterns tell a concerning story. Actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were temporarily banned from the industry in 2023 following serious drug use allegations from producers. Last year, Bhasi faced police questioning regarding a cocaine seizure linked to gangster Om Prakash, while in early 2025, an arrested peddler claimed to have supplied hybrid cannabis to both Bhasi and actor Shine Tom Chacko. Chacko's subsequent arrest for alleged narcotics possession, coupled with award-winning actress Vincy Aloshious's complaint about his drug-influenced misbehaviour on set, highlights the industry's ineffective response. When Chacko appeared before the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka), he received an 'opportunity' to correct his behaviour rather than facing substantial disciplinary action—despite Fefka having formed a vigilance committee against drug abuse just a month earlier. 'The majority of people in the industry, including artists and technicians, are drug users,' claims eminent producer Sandra Thomas. 'The organizations are trying to underplay the real issue by focusing only on two or three persons.' Thomas notes a troubling shift over the past six to seven years: 'While alcohol and marijuana were previously common, today synthetic drugs have become widespread.' She describes a disturbing scenario where assistants of prominent figures allegedly carry drugs for their employers, with groups gathering in on-set caravans to use substances together during production. A concerning parallel ecosystem has emerged. Exclusive circles have formed within the industry, with members producing films solely with others in their group. Those outside these circles—whether producers, technicians, or artists—struggle to navigate film set dynamics. 'Despite numerous producers voicing concerns about this drug menace in industry meetings, organizations have yet to implement effective countermeasures,' says Sandra. Several promising Malayalam actors who once stood at their career peaks have experienced dramatic downfalls due to drug involvement. Two years ago, actor Tiny Tom publicly stated that a major actor's teeth had decayed due to excessive drug use. Industry insiders report that two prominent actors are currently battling severe health issues stemming from substance abuse.\ The pressure cooker environment of stardom, combined with gruelling work schedules and easy drug access within social circles, has normalized substance use. Many senior industry professionals feel compelled to use drugs to fit in with certain groups of youngsters and advance their careers. Female actors like Vincy Aloshious often hesitate to take legal action against drug abuse, fearing career repercussions. Industry organizations similarly resist supporting such moves, wary of potential backlash and reputational damage. Beena Paul, a prominent editor and member of the Women in Cinema Collective, describes the challenge: 'The issue of drugs in the industry is far from simple, as it involves a complex nexus of money and underworld mafias.' She points out that effective solutions require political willpower and strong coordination between law enforcement and film organizations. The Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) established on sets under the POSH Act theoretically offer a mechanism for addressing issues, but their effectiveness is questionable. 'On most film sets, ICC members are typically individuals from the existing crew, with no external members included,' Sandra explains. 'This makes it unsafe for complainants, as there's a real risk of leaks.' She adds that junior technicians or artists serving on these committees often lack familiarity with the POSH Act and the authority to take meaningful action. Such structural weaknesses became evident when Vincy expressed distress after the name of the actor she filed a complaint against was leaked. According to excise authorities, the industry has seen a shift toward more dangerous substances. The most commonly used drugs now include hybrid cannabis, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine—a concerning evolution from traditional substances to more potent chemicals. Saji Nanthyat of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the scale of the problem: 'People on movie sets are using synthetic drugs with no distinction between male and female users. The easy availability is a major factor.' While Kochi city police have announced plans to deploy undercover officers at film shooting locations, enforcement faces practical limitations. 'The excise force has limitations in deploying officials on movie sets and conducting surprise inspections. We can conduct raids only with vital information on the sale or use of drugs,' says a senior excise officer. Beyond the immediate industry impact lies a broader cultural concern. Actors and filmmakers are influential figures whose behaviours, both positive and negative, shape public attitudes. When celebrities succumb to drug abuse, it can inadvertently glamorize substance use or normalize it as a coping mechanism. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Gulf News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Kerala drug case: Excise issues notice to three to appear with actors Shine Tom, Bhasi
Kochi: Two days after Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi were summoned, the Kerala Excise Department on Friday issued summons to three more people asking them to appear for questioning. The move follows the arrest of Tasleem Sultana and one of her accomplices from a resort near Alappuzha on April 1, after a tip-off. The operation resulted in the seizure of hybrid ganja worth approximately Rs 2 crore in the open market. Later, the Excise officials arrested one more person who is closely associated with Sultana. The names of the three have been withheld as, at the moment, there is a lack of evidence against them, but what has surfaced is that they had frequent interactions with Sultana. The three include a Kochi-based female model, a person who has close links with the Malayalam film industry and another man who was a participant in a popular reality show. Even though the Excise officials are pursuing the case regarding matters connected to drugs, during the interrogation of the three arrested, they have stumbled on evidence with regards to gold smuggling and even an alleged sex racket. This evidence, which the Excise got, will soon be transferred to the Kerala Police. During interrogation, Sultana allegedly named several clients from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Chacko and Bhasi. Sensing trouble, Bhasi had filed an anticipatory bail plea, which he withdrew within hours before the Kerala High Court. Excise officials had earlier stated that they would summon the actors if needed. It was following detailed questioning of Sultana and her associates that notices were issued to Chacko and Bhasi, and on further probe, they stumbled upon three more people. The Excise officials are now planning to question the five people who have been asked to appear before them individually and also jointly. Excise officials, with assistance from digital forensic experts, are understood to have retrieved crucial chat messages between Bhasi and Sultana. Sultana, originally from Kannur, is believed to have operated out of Chennai, frequently travelling to Kochi and Alappuzha -- key locations in her alleged distribution network. Apart from her suspected involvement in narcotics, she is known to have worked in minor film roles and assisted with script translations, which gave her access to the film industry.
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Actor Sreenath Bhasi accused of demanding drugs on film set, producer speaks out
Dubai: Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi has been accused of demanding cannabis during the shoot of the movie Namukku Court-il Kaanam by film producer Haseeb Malabar. In an interview with Mathrubhumi News, Haseeb alleged that Bhasi insisted on receiving 'stuff to smoke' around 3am on the film's set through an intermediary. According to the producer, the actor made it clear that he needed cannabis to get into the mood to act. 'He asked me to send the 'stuff' through someone. I was shocked. But we didn't raise a complaint at the time because we didn't want to disrupt the shoot,' said Haseeb. He also claimed that Bhasi used the on-set caravan to smoke and barred others from entering. These revelations come in the wake of Bhasi's recent legal troubles. Earlier this month, the actor withdrew his anticipatory bail plea in connection with the Alappuzha hybrid cannabis case. The case stems from the arrest of alleged drug peddler Taslima Sultana, who reportedly named Bhasi as one of her clients. Bhasi has denied the allegations, stating that he never purchased or consumed cannabis and that Sultana had contacted him posing as a fan under the alias 'Christina.' The Kerala Excise Department has intensified its probe and may summon several film industry figures, including Bhasi, for questioning as investigations continue.
