Music composer and filmmaker Palaash Muchhal is once again at the center of a storm. Just months after his high-profile wedding to Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana was called off under a cloud of controversy, Muchhal now faces a formal police complaint in Sangli, Maharashtra, involving allegations of financial fraud.
While he recently attempted to shift focus back to his career by announcing a new film with actor Shreyas Talpade, these legal troubles threaten to overshadow his professional return.
The New Case: The “Nazaria” Film Fraud
According to reports confirmed on January 22, 2026, actor and producer Vidnyan Mane has approached the Sangli Superintendent of Police seeking an FIR against Muchhal.
- The Pitch: Mane alleges that in December 2023, Muchhal invited him to invest in a film titled Nazaria.
- The Promise: Muchhal reportedly promised that a ₹25 lakh investment would yield a ₹12 lakh profit once released on OTT platforms, and offered Mane an acting role in the project.
- The Allegation: Mane claims he transferred a total of ₹40 lakh to Muchhal by March 2025. However, the project remains incomplete, and Mane alleges that Muchhal stopped responding to his requests for a refund.
- Current Status: Sangli police are currently conducting a preliminary inquiry into the matter before deciding whether to register an official FIR.
A Look Back: The Personal Fall-Out
This legal battle follows a chaotic personal period for Muchhal. In late 2025, his long-term relationship with Smriti Mandhana ended abruptly:
- The Wedding Halt: The couple was set to marry on November 23, 2025, but the ceremony was initially postponed when Mandhana’s father was hospitalized with a heart ailment.
- Infidelity Rumors: Shortly after the postponement, viral screenshots allegedly showed Muchhal flirting with a choreographer. While unverified, these rumors ignited a massive social media backlash.
- The Final Break: On December 7, 2025, Mandhana officially confirmed the wedding was cancelled, asking for privacy to focus on her “higher calling” for Indian cricket. Muchhal later hit back at the “baseless rumors,” stating it was the most difficult phase of his life.
The Professional Comeback
Despite the lingering drama, Muchhal recently announced his third directorial venture:
- The Lead: Shreyas Talpade will play a “common man” in an untitled slice-of-life film set in Mumbai.
- The Conflict: Critics and fans are divided, as the film announcement came just days before the fresh cheating allegations surfaced.