Mumbai: A 34-year-old actor and producer has approached the police in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, alleging that composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal cheated him of Rs 40 lakh by luring him into investing in an upcoming film project, officials said on Thursday.
Police clarified that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered so far, and the matter is currently under preliminary inquiry.
Complaint Submitted To Sangli SP
The complainant, identified as Vidnyan Mane, a resident of Sangli, submitted a written application on Tuesday to the Sangli Superintendent of Police, seeking registration of an FIR against Muchhal.
According to the complaint, Mane first met Palash Muchhal in Sangli on December 5, 2023. During the meeting, Mane expressed interest in investing in film production.
Alleged Promise Of Profit And Acting Role
Muchhal allegedly proposed that Mane invest in his upcoming film project titled ‘Nazaria’, offering him the role of producer. The filmmaker also reportedly assured Mane that an investment of Rs 25 lakh would yield a profit of Rs 12 lakh once the film was released on OTT platforms.
In addition to financial returns, Muchhal allegedly offered Mane a role in the film, further persuading him to invest, the complaint stated.
Rs 40 Lakh Paid, Project Allegedly Not Completed
The two reportedly met several times after their initial interaction. Mane claims that by March 2025, he had transferred a total of Rs 40 lakh to Muchhal towards the film’s production.
However, the complainant alleged that the project failed to reach completion, and despite repeated follow-ups, he received no response when he demanded his money back.
Police Conduct Preliminary Probe
After failing to recover his investment, Mane approached the police. An official confirmed that authorities are currently verifying the complaint and conducting a preliminary probe before deciding on further legal action.
“No FIR has been registered yet. We are examining the documents and claims submitted by the complainant,” the official said.