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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.
Khaleej Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamza arrested for possession of hybrid ganja
In a late-night operation carried out by the Kochi Excise Department, three individuals, including two renowned Malayalam film directors, were arrested for the possession of hybrid ganja. The arrested individuals have been identified as Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, both known for their contributions to the Malayalam film industry, along with their friend, Shalif Mohammed. The arrest occurred after a thorough investigation led by the Excise authorities, which culminated in the discovery of 1.6 grams of hybrid ganja in the possession of the suspects. While the operation itself was swift, it has sparked significant attention due to the high-profile status of the individuals involved. Khalid Rahman, known for his critically acclaimed film 'Manjummel Boys' and Ashraf Hamza, who gained recognition with his debut film 'Thamaasha', were both taken into custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. According to sources within the Excise Department, the three individuals were found with the drugs during the operation, and the authorities did not uncover any further illicit substances during their investigation. The filmmakers and their associate were granted station bail shortly after the detention.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Film directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamza held with hybrid cannabis at cinematographer Sameer Thahir's Kochi flat
Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza were detained with hybrid cannabis during a late-night raid at cinematographer Sameer Thahir's flat in Kochi. The operation was carried out around 2.30 a.m. on Sunday based on confidential information received by the Excise Department. Authorities reportedly seized 1.5 grams of hybrid cannabis from the scene. A few others present at the flat were also detained in connection with the incident. According to the Excise Department, the directors were 'preparing to use the substance at the time of the operation'. Following a medical examination, the duo were formally arrested and later released. 'The detained individuals are regular users of narcotics,' the Excise Department said. Khalid Rahman is known for directing films such as Alappuzha Gymkhana and Thallumaala. He has also acted in the film Manjumal Boys. Ashraf Hamza has directed Thamaasha, Bheemante Vazhi, and Sulaikha Manzil.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza arrested for possession of drugs, released on bail: Report
The Excise Department arrested three people, including Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, for possession of hybrid ganja. As per Mathrubhumi, the arrest was made in Kochi, and they were later released on station bail. (Also Read | Shine Tom Chacko's brother Joe John responds to his drug allegations with sarcasm) The third person who was arrested was Shalif Mohammed. They were arrested during a raid conducted at 2 am Sunday at a flat near the Gosree Bridge in Kochi. Reportedly, the excise authorities recovered 1.6 grams of hybrid ganja from them. The flat reportedly belonged to cinematographer Sameer Thahir. Shalif is known to be a close friend of the directors. Citing Excise Department sources, the report said that the raid was conducted based on confidential information. Khalid is known for directing films such as Alappuzha Gymkhana and Thallumaala. Ashraf has directed films including Thamaasha and Bheemannte Vazhi. This comes just days after the Excise department issued a notice to Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko, directing him to appear for questioning on April 28 in connection with the seizure of hybrid ganja. A notice was served to actor Sreenath Bhasi in the case. Earlier, excise officials arrested two individuals—Thasleema Sulthana alias Christina and K Feroze—for allegedly selling hybrid ganja on April 1. Thasleema's husband, Sultan Akbar Ali, was also arrested in connection with the case. The probe team suspects that Sulthana supplied drugs to the two actors. Chacko was arrested on April 21 for alleged drug use but was released on station bail the same day. The arrest followed a nearly four-hour-long interrogation related to an incident in which Chacko allegedly fled from a Kochi hotel during a narcotics raid. Sreenath Bhasi had approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail, fearing arrest in the case, but withdrew his petition on the same day.
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.
