Director Shamzu Zayba, out on bail in a financial fraud case, accuses ‘Abhilasham’ producers of targeting him and questions his late-night arrest. Industry bodies like FEFKA criticize the police’s actions. Zayba claims producers aimed to ruin his reputation, while producers cite fund mismanagement and a failure to return a car. Technicians also report pending payments.

Director Shamzu Zayba who was recently released on bail in a financial fraud case, has accused the producers of the film Abhilasham of targeting him. Talking to media, he also questioned the manner in which the police arrested him. According to him he informed the police that he was away for a shoot and would contact them once he returned. He said the police behaved as if he was attempting to evade arrest. As reported by On Manorama, the director explained how the arrest unfolded. “The police never informed us about the FIR that was filed on February 3; we only learned about it through news channels. They contacted me and the other technicians only on February 16. I had told them I would be away in Muhamma, Alappuzha for a shoot and would get in touch as soon as I returned. I reached my flat on the evening of February 17 and went to sleep. That’s when the police barged in and arrested me,” he said.

FEFKA questions the police action

The arrest also drew criticism from industry bodies. B Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), along with the directors’ union working general secretary Sohan, questioned why the police acted so late at night and without prior notice.They stated that the director was denied basic courtesy. “The police are expected to uphold basic rights and show human decency when taking someone into custody. In Shamzu’s case, they failed to meet that standard,” Sohan said.

Shamzu Zayba alleges producers tried to damage his reputation

Shamzu claimed the producers had tried to undermine him from the start of the project. He alleged they were waiting for a chance to ruin his standing in the industry. “This was their attitude from Day 1 of the film shoot. They kept stating that they won’t let me finish the film and would even damage my reputation,” he said.He said the team managed to finish the film only because of the technicians’ collective effort. He added that unpaid wages delayed the final scene. “I had to gather the whole team and negotiate with the producers so we could complete the shoot. Even after we finished filming, it took more than a year for the movie to finally get released,” he said.

Producers defend their complaint

Reports say that the producers had first taken their grievances to the Producers’ Association. Later they opted for legal action. Association president B Rakesh told the media that the producers had filed several complaints, including claims of fund mismanagement. He said they also alleged that Shamzu failed to return a car provided for the shoot.Shamzu denied this. He said the car had mechanical issues and was later handed over to a garage.

Technicians also raise concerns about pending payments

FEFKA cinematographers’ union general secretary Sujith Vaasudev said he raised the matter again. The Producers’ Association maintained that full payment depended on profitability.Cinematographer Sajad Kaakku said he too was surprised to learn he was named in the FIR. He cited unpaid wages as the real issue. He explained, “I was assured I would be paid for my work, even though nothing was put in writing at the time. But when the payment didn’t come, I took the matter to the FEFKA directors and the CUMAC union. After several discussions, the producer paid me a portion of what I was owed once the film’s musical rights were sold and promised to give the remaining amount after the OTT release. Later, however, she said she couldn’t pay the balance due to financial difficulties.”