In the early hours of Sunday, a major shock hit the Malayalam film industry. Popular director Khalid Rahman, along with director Ashraf Hamza and their friend Shalif Muhammad, was arrested by Excise officials.
The arrest came after 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja was seized from a Kochi flat. The trio was later released on station bail around 5:30 am, but the news left the industry rattled.
The Excise team raided flat 506 of Purva Grandbay at around 2 am. Officials said the flat was rented by well-known cinematographer Sameer Thahir. According to Excise Inspector KP Pramod, the three were just about to smoke ganja when the team barged in.
He also revealed that they were not first-time users, hinting at a deeper problem. A case has been filed under sections 20(b)(II) A and 29 of the NDPS Act. A bigger investigation is now underway to find out where the drugs came from.
Khalid Rahman has directed hit films like Anuraga Karikkinvellam, Unda, and Thallumala. His latest work, Alappuzha Gymkhana, is still running in theatres.
Ashraf Hamza too has made his mark with movies like Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. Their arrest has left fans and the film fraternity both shocked and disappointed.
This fresh controversy once again throws a harsh spotlight on the issue of drug abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
Only recently, actor Shine Tom Chacko was also arrested in a similar case and later released on bail. With back-to-back incidents, uncomfortable questions are now being raised about what’s really going on behind the scenes.
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