High art! Kochi native absconding, NDPS Act likely against cinematographer Sameer Thahir

KOCHI: For a long time, there were clarion calls for an inspection into Malayalam film sets to bust the purported drug cartel. The recent arrest of an actor was the first of many hints about the substance use predicament in the industry. However, the picture became clearer with the arrest of two prominent film directors in Malayalam on Sunday for the illegal possession of hybrid cannabis.

Young actors Sreenath Bhasi and Shine Tom Chacko will appear before the Alappuzha Excise today for questioning in a similar case. Young film directors Khalid Rahman (35) and Ashraf Hamza (46), arrested in Kochi, have been suspended by the FEFKA Directors' Union. Khalid Rahman is the director, scriptwriter and production partner of 'Alappuzha Gymkhana', which is currently running in theatres.

He has also directed films like ‘Thallumala’, ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’, and ‘Unda’. Ashraf Hamza is the director of the films ‘Tamasha’, ‘Bheemante Vazhi’, and ‘Sulaikha Manzil’.

The excise department arrested them and their friend Shalih Mohammed (35) at 2 am on Sunday from the Purva Grand Bay flat of prominent cinematographer Sameer Tahir near the Goshree Bridge in Ernakulam. It is suspected that the two made a transaction through Shalih Mohammed. 1.6 grams of hybrid cannabis and paraphernalia were recovered from their apartment. All three were released on station bail after medical examination. Sameer Thahir may also be charged under the NDPS Act.

After submitting the arrest documents to the court today, Sameer and the accused will be summoned for questioning. The Kochi native who delivered the hybrid cannabis is absconding.

FEFKA Directors Union President Renji Panicker and General Secretary G.S. Vijayan said the organisation is assessing the progress of the investigation, and assured further action against Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza at the organisational level, if necessary.

In the wake of the case, the FEFKA leadership had instructed the Directors' Union to take action against the directors.