Malayalam cinema’s rising stars, directors caught in a web of drug raids

On April 28, Vedan found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Police raided his apartment in Kochi, arresting him and eight others, including his bandmates, and seizing six grams of ganja. Once celebrated as a powerful voice in Indian hip hop, known for his fierce lyrics, electrifying stage presence, and incisive political themes, Vedan is now grappling with a damaged public image.

Vedan denies using synthetic drugs

Though Vedan and the others were granted bail under the NDPS Act due to the small quantity involved, a more serious allegation surfaced and the court later handed him over to forest officials after the Forest Department filed a case regarding a pendant he allegedly wore, said to be made from a tiger tooth or claw. If proven, this non-bailable offence — punishable with up to seven years in prison — falls under laws governing the hunting and possession of wildlife trophies, further deepening his legal woes.

Vedan’s arrest under the NDPS Act drew mixed reactions, with some in the music community and even Dalit activists criticising him for substance use. But the forest department case has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the timing and intent behind the authorities’ actions, suspecting an attempt to target the rapper beyond the drug charges.

“I won’t make even the faintest complaint about harsher punishments being reserved for those from marginalised communities while others walk free. I don’t condone the use of even a trace of ganja, and on that front, I have no hesitation in calling Vedan out. But the tiger claw case is an entirely different matter. A pendant gifted by a fan to an animal lover is now being treated as hard evidence. He’s being cornered with charges that carry a seven-year sentence. If he’s being framed for something he didn’t do, I’ll call it out for what it is — unjust,” poet and Dalit rights activist Mruduladevi Sasidharan wrote on her social media handles.

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Interestingly, a complaint has now been filed with the Kerala DGP highlighting that Union Minister Suresh Gopi also wears a chain with a similar pendant, allegedly made from a tiger’s claw or tooth. Vedan, whose mother is of Sri Lankan Tamil origin, has faced a previous NDPS charge and MeToo allegations. As he was being taken to court, he addressed the media, denying any conspiracy or foul play. While he admitted to using ganja and alcohol, he firmly denied any involvement with synthetic drugs.

Operation D-Hunt

In fact, this episode of the drug bust saga began on April 1, when Excise officials in Alappuzha arrested Taslima Sulthana, alias Christina, and her accomplice Feroz with 3 kilograms of hybrid ganja worth Rs 2 crore. Under interrogation, she named Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi as friends and clients, igniting a firestorm. The claim thrust the actors into the spotlight, despite shaky evidence like WhatsApp chats and call logs.

Shine, a gifted actor with a troubled past, is no stranger to drug cases. Arrested in 2015 for Kerala’s first cocaine bust, he was acquitted in February 2025, only to be ensnared again. On April 15, co-star Vincy Aloshious accused him of misbehaviour on the set of a film, alleging he spat white powder and made lewd remarks. Days later, Shine fled a Kochi hotel during a DANSAF raid, caught on CCTV leaping from a third-floor window. Arrested and questioned, he was released on station bail, but the industry’s trust in him frays daily.

Bhasi, celebrated for roles in Kumbalangi Nights and Manjummel Boys, faces parallel scrutiny. Summoned with Shine on April 28, he dismissed Taslima’s accusations as lies. Yet, call records suggest connections, and after hours of grilling in Alappuzha, he too walked free on bail. The plot thickened on April 27, when Excise officials raided a Kochi flat owned by cinematographer Sameer Thahir. Inside were directors Khalid Rahman (Unda, Thallumaala, Alappuzha Gymkhana ) and Ashraf Hamsa (Thamaasha, Bheemante Vazhi, Sulekha Manzil), alongside friend Shalif Mohammed, with 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja. The trio, reportedly discussing a film, claimed it was a casual meet. The small quantity secured them station bail, but the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) suspended both directors, sparking debates about fairness in Mollywood’s disciplinary measures.

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“It’s quite disturbing that these issues are repeatedly happening in our sets. The argument that one can work energetically on a film set only under the influence of drugs is bizarre. Earlier, I had opposed such testing out of concern that it might disrupt the creative process on set,” said Sibi Malayil, veteran director and the president of FEFKA director’s union. Operation D-Hunt, Kerala Police’s anti-narcotics drive, has intensified the crackdown, making surprise inspections, on-the-spot drug tests, and background checks on film crews’ standard practice.

The political angle

Media outlets have capitalised on the frenzy, flooding feeds with sensational headlines that mimic the titles and lyrics associated with the accused. However, this celebrity-centric focus distracts from a more serious issue. The seized quantities —1.63 grams, 6 grams — are negligible, suggesting personal use rather than trafficking. Hybrid ganja, while potent, is a sideshow compared to synthetic drugs like crystal meth, MDMA, and fentanyl-laced compounds flooding Kerala.

When it comes to drug cases, as enforcement agencies tighten their grip and media sensationalism reaches a fever pitch, a pressing question remains: are authorities and headline-hungry outlets disproportionately targeting celebrities over minor recreational use, while the real crisis — the rampant spread of synthetic drugs ravaging Kerala’s youth — continues largely unaddressed?

“The Excise Department is taking the easy route. Are MDMA and cocaine easily accessible to youngsters? Are there local cooking centres? Are there individuals coming from outside to produce and distribute chemical drugs in Kerala? These are the key questions. Instead of addressing these concerns, the approach has been to visit celebrities’ homes based on hearsay of some alleged deal, seize 1.6 grams, and then leak the news and visuals to the media with headlines like ‘Ah, the drug hunt!’ This is not the solution. It’s the easy way out,” opines Sreejith Divakaran, screen writer and journalist.

Beneath the surface, the controversy has also exposed deepening fault lines within the Malayalam film and music industry. A generational rift — between the conservative old guard and the newer, edgier wave of artists — has been widening. Industry veterans, some of whom have bristled at the newcomers’ raw themes and unconventional lifestyles, appear to be using the current scandal to discredit the younger crop. In some quarters, this has gone beyond artistic critique, with whispers of religious profiling and moral policing further muddying the waters.

“We can observe the responses coming in within the industry, and it’s clear what tone they carry. It’s evident that those opposed to the power centre of the country are being targeted. While they may have committed some wrongs, the reactions are disproportionate to the actions. There’s also a political angle to it,” a young, celebrated filmmaker tells The Federal.