Kochi: Three individuals, including two prominent Malayalam film directors, were arrested by the Excise Department in Kochi for possession of hybrid cannabis. The arrested individuals are well-known directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamsa, and Shalif Mohammed, who was with them. The arrests were made during a raid conducted by the Excise Special Squad.
The trio was apprehended at around 2 a.m. from a flat near the Kochi Goshree Bridge with 1.6 grams of hybrid cannabis. Acting on a tip-off, the Excise team conducted a search at the flat. According to Excise officials, the three were caught while attempting to use the cannabis. After recording their arrests, they were released on station bail.
Khalid Rahman is the director of hit films such as ‘Unda’, ‘Thallumaala’, ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’, ‘Love’, and the recently released ‘Alappuzha Gymkhana’, which grossed over 50 crores globally. He also played a notable role in the blockbuster film ‘Manjummel Boys’.
Ashraf Hamsa has directed films like ‘Thamasha’, ‘Bheeman’s Way’, and ‘Sulaikha Manzil’. He is also the co-writer of the hit movie ‘Thallumaala’. The involvement of these prominent figures in Malayalam cinema has sparked widespread discussions.
The significance of this arrest lies in the fact that the Excise Department’s crackdown on drug-related activities in the Malayalam film industry is now extending to high-profile individuals. The accused were released on bail as the quantity of cannabis recovered was not of commercial scale. Further investigations are underway in connection with the case.
