### Manjummel Boys: The Rs 20 Crore Survival Thriller That Roared to Rs 242 Crore Glory—But Ended in Arrests and Fraud Scandals
In a blockbuster saga that mirrors its own high-stakes plot, *Manjummel Boys* (2024) transformed a real-life 2006 cave entrapment ordeal into Malayalam cinema's crowning jewel. Directed by Chidambaram S. Poduval and produced by Parava Films, this survival drama—starring Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, and an ensemble of young actors—captured the raw terror of friendship tested in the depths of Kodaikanal's Guna Caves. Shot over 101 days with a modest ₹20 crore budget, it exploded at the box office, grossing a staggering ₹242.3 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever and the second-highest in India after *Baahubali 2*. Its pulse-pounding narrative, laced with humor and heroism, resonated across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and overseas, raking in ₹72 crore domestically in Kerala alone and ₹73 crore from international markets. But beneath the triumph lurked shadows: accolades galore, yes—but also an actor's arrest and a web of fraud allegations that ensnared its makers.
#### Box Office Breakdown: From Underdog to All-Time Blockbuster
Released on February 22, 2024, the film shattered records with explosive openings: ₹5.5–6.9 crore on day one, crossing ₹100 crore in 12 days and ₹200 crore in under a month. The Telugu dubbed version (April 6, 2024) added fuel, pushing it to 100-day theatrical run by June 2, 2024. Here's the earnings snapshot:
| Region/Territory | Gross Earnings (₹ Crore) | Key Notes |
|---------------------|--------------------------|-----------|
| Kerala | 72.1 | Core market; drove initial frenzy |
| Rest of India (incl. Tamil Nadu: ₹64.1) | 170.2 | Tamil version boosted Hindi belt |
| Overseas | 73.3 | Strong in UAE, US, and Europe |
| **Worldwide Total**| **242.3** | Highest-grossing Malayalam film; ROI ~12x budget |
The surge? Word-of-mouth magic, festival buzz, and Sushin Shyam's haunting score, turning a niche survival tale into a pan-Indian phenomenon.
#### Awards Haul: A Clean Sweep of 10 at Kerala State Film Awards
*Manjummel Boys* didn't just sell tickets—it swept honors, clinching **10 awards** at the prestigious 55th Kerala State Film Awards (announced November 3, 2025), the most ever for any film in the ceremony's history. This Telugu-titled triumph (meaning "cave boys") outshone rivals, affirming its artistic chops beyond commercial hype. Other nods include Best Music at Russia's Kino Bravo International Film Festival (October 1, 2024) and Box Office Award at Mazhavil Entertainment Awards (August 20, 2024).
| Award Category | Winner |
|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
| Best Film | *Manjummel Boys* |
| Best Director | Chidambaram S. Poduval |
| Best Screenplay (Original) | Chidambaram S. Poduval |
| Best Character Actor | Soubin Shahir |
| Best Cinematography | Shyju Khalid |
| Best Art Director | Ajayan Chalissery |
| Best Lyricist | Vedan |
| Best Sound Mixing | Fazal A. Backer |
| Best Sound Designing | Shijin Melvin Hutton, Abhishek Nair |
| Best Laboratory/Colourist | Srik Varier |
#### The Dark Turn: Actor Arrest and Fraud Fallout
Success soured fast. Lead actor and producer **Soubin Shahir** was arrested on July 8, 2025, in a high-profile financial fraud case tied to Parava Films. A UAE-based investor, Siraj Valayithira, accused the team of swindling ₹7 crore—promised a 40% profit share post-release but allegedly ghosted on returns. Charges? Cheating, breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, forgery, and money-laundering. Shahir, his father Babu Shahir, and co-producer Shawn Antony were booked; Shahir was released on bail shortly after, but the Kerala High Court had earlier (May 17, 2024) stayed related proceedings amid a quash petition.
The scandal snowballed:
- **Forgery & Laundering FIR** (April 24, 2024): Marad police probed the producers for faking documents and siphoning funds.
- **Plagiarism Storm** (May 22, 2024): Music legend Ilaiyaraaja slapped a legal notice for "unauthorized use" of his 1991 hit "Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan" from *Gunaa*, demanding royalties and threatening suit.
- **Writer's Backlash** (March 19, 2024): Tamil author B. Jeyamohan slammed the film for "disturbing" portrayals of Kerala youth as reckless alcoholics, sparking social media debates on cultural insensitivity.
As investigations drag into late 2025, the case highlights Bollywood-adjacent pitfalls: How do indie hits fundraise without red flags? For now, *Manjummel Boys* endures as a testament to Malayalam's golden era—flawed, fierce, and unforgettable. Seen it yet, or got a favorite survival flick?
From Best Film to Best Screenplay, Best Director and more -- Manjummel Boys has dominated this year’s Kerala State Film Awards, bagging a total of 10 honours across various categories. The Chidambaram directorial, which released last year, became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time. However, the film’s journey wasn’t smooth — from production challenges to facing cheating allegations after its massive success. Here’s a look at Manjummel Boys’ remarkable journey:
Made on a budget of Rs 20 crore, it minted over Rs 200 crore
Manjummel Boys scripted history last year when it went on to become the highest-grossing film in Malayalam cinema. Made on a modest budget of Rs 20 crore, the film earned Rs 141 crore in India and Rs 240.5 crore worldwide. It remained at the top for months before being dethroned by Dulquer Salmaan’s production Lokah recently.
Legal trouble
Despite its phenomenal success, controversy soon followed. A police case was filed against actor Soubin Shahir — who played a pivotal role in the film — and his team of co-producers by Siraj Valayithira, who claimed to be one of the film’s silent investors. Siraj alleged that he was made to invest close to Rs 7 crore towards the film’s budget but was later denied any share of the profits post-release.
The case was filed against Soubin Shahir, his father Babu Shahir, and producer Shawn Antony, all partners at Parava Films. Soubin was arrested on charges of financial fraud but was later released on bail. The case continues in court.
