Tamil actor Arya (Jamshed C), the producers of the Tamil film Ananthan Kaadu, the actor’s personal assistant and other associates have been booked in an alleged ₹1.8 crore cheating case by the Jubilee Hills Police in Hyderabad. The complaint alleges that payment for cameras, lighting systems and other cinema production equipment hired for the film was not made despite repeated assurances, leaving a Hyderabad-based equipment supplier with outstanding dues exceeding ₹1.8 crore. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation.
The complaint was filed by Taher Cine Tekniq, a Hyderabad-based cinema equipment rental company. According to Syed Javed Ali, the company’s Accounts Head, actor Arya, production houses Mini Studio and The Show People, along with Arya’s personal assistant Kishor, assured the company that all rental charges would be cleared on time. Relying on these assurances, the company supplied high-end digital cameras, lighting systems and other production equipment required for the film.
The complainant stated that a formal agreement was executed on February 25, 2025, following which the equipment was transported from Hyderabad to the shooting location in Kerala at the company’s own expense. The total value of the equipment rental and related services amounted to approximately ₹2.12 crore, including GST. However, despite the completion of the project, the payment allegedly remained unpaid.
According to the complaint, the production house subsequently acknowledged outstanding dues of nearly ₹1.8 crore, excluding GST, and assured the supplier that the amount would be cleared before the film’s release. The complainant alleged that despite repeated verbal reminders, written communications, emails and legal notices, the payment was not made.
The FIR further alleges that the accused obtained an ex parte interim injunction from a court in Ernakulam by allegedly suppressing material facts, including documents acknowledging the outstanding liability. The complainant has claimed that this was done to delay payment and obstruct legal recovery proceedings.
The complaint also alleges that when the company sought clearance of the pending dues, producer Vinod, actor Arya and personal assistant Kishor threatened the supplier’s manager with serious consequences and physical assault. These allegations are also being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police officials said investigators will scrutinise agreements executed between the parties, bank transactions, invoices, tax records, written correspondence, emails, legal notices and other financial documents to verify the claims made by both sides. The investigation will also determine whether the contractual obligations were fulfilled and whether there was any deliberate attempt to withhold payment.
Investigators are further examining whether any settlement discussions or payment negotiations had taken place before the complaint was lodged. If required, statements of other individuals connected with the production and financial transactions will also be recorded, while forensic examination of financial records may be conducted as part of the probe.
No official public response has been issued so far by actor Arya or the other accused named in the complaint. Police said the matter remains under investigation, and all allegations will be examined on the basis of documentary evidence, witness statements and financial records before any further legal action is taken.
