Kochi: A new controversy has erupted in the Malayalam film industry following a complaint involving prominent personalities. A 41-year-old doctor working at a leading hospital in Kochi was allegedly called to a flat under the pretense of medical assistance, held captive, assaulted, and demanded a large sum of money while valuables were seized. The case includes well-known actress Atulya Chandran and actor-producer Bibin Perumpilly as accused, with police preliminary findings pointing to a premeditated conspiracy to extort Rs 6 crore.
According to the complaint, the accused exploited the doctor’s prior acquaintance and trust with Atulya Chandran to lure him to the flat. Once there, the doctor was threatened with the exposure of private information to coerce payment of a huge sum. It is suspected that twelve people were involved in the incident. The doctor was reportedly tied to a chair and assaulted, and mobile phones and smartwatches valued at around Rs 3 lakh were taken from him.
The incident reportedly occurred around 6:30 pm on November 2 at an apartment in Ponnurunni, Kochi. The doctor was contacted by Atulya Chandran, who claimed that her maternal aunt was critically ill and urgently needed examination. Trusting this request from a known person, the doctor visited the flat. However, the complaint states that there was no genuine medical situation on arrival.
Allegations include that the group who pre-occupied the flat prevented the doctor from leaving and restrained him forcibly. Threats were made to release sensitive personal messages and visual material purportedly exchanged between the doctor and a close relative of Atulya Chandran to exert pressure.
Police investigations suggest that the dispute stemmed from personal relationship conflicts between the doctor and the relative. It is also alleged that Atulya Chandran and Bibin Perumpilly collectively demanded Rs 6 crore allegedly to resolve these issues, but the doctor declined to pay the exorbitant amount, prompting the alleged assault. The complaint includes threats that failure to pay would lead to the dissemination of intimate communications, damaging the doctor's personal and social reputation.
The police are exploring whether the scheme constituted a honeytrap, although this has not been conclusively established. The apartment used for the incident is linked to employees of Dulquer Salmaan’s production company, Wayfarer Films. Bibin Perumpilly, a former Chief Operating Officer of the company and active in the Malayalam film industry as an actor and producer, has a connection to the flat under investigation. The police are examining whether the suspects congregated at the apartment prior to summoning the doctor and where the plan to extort money was formulated.
Notably, there is no evidence at this stage implicating the production company or its owners directly in the incident, with distinctions being drawn between individual responsibilities and institutional affiliation.
Aided by Vishnu, an associate of Bibin Perumpilly who has prior criminal cases pending, and a gym trainer accused of seizing the doctor’s mobile devices and smartwatch, the group allegedly involves twelve individuals. Police efforts are ongoing to determine each person's role, who led the assault, and who participated in the financial extortion.
The doctor managed to escape and filed a complaint at Kadavantra police station two days after the event. Authorities are also examining reasons for the delay in filing the complaint.
Further investigation aims to record statements from Atulya's close relative to clarify the underlying personal relationship issues. Communication exchanges between the doctor and the relative, financial demands, and the sequence of events at the flat are key components of the inquiry.
Atulya Chandran is a Malayalam actress who rose to prominence with notable roles. Born in Mumbai and hailing from Changanssery in Kottayam district, she studied in Changanssery up to 10th grade before earning a law degree from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. Previously a junior to prominent lawyer B. Raman Pillai, Atulya transitioned into modeling and subsequently entered films. She debuted in the Telugu film "Madhuraralaru" but first gained audience recognition in Mammootty’s Malayalam film "Ganagandharvan." Her work includes Tamil films such as "Trip" and more recently she garnered attention for her role in "Dias Ira" starring Pranav Mohanlal, with some intimate scenes sparking social media discussions.
Bibin Perumpilly, also involved in the case, is an actor and producer within Malayalam cinema, formerly the COO of Wayfarer Films. He acted in films including "Kurup," "Salute," and "Loka," and is known for notable roles such as in "Rifle Club." Bibin’s involvement in a serious criminal case has heightened media focus on the incident.
The core investigation question remains whether there was a preplanned financial fraud targeting the doctor. Police are scrutinizing claims of the doctor being called under the guise of medical care, multiple persons waiting at the flat, and the Rs 6 crore demand, to assess the possibility of a staged crime.
Clarification is also sought on how a personal dispute escalated to sizable financial demands and violence. The inquiry is focused on verifying whether private messages and visuals were truly used to intimidate, their possession, and identity of those who threatened exposure.
The involvement of the twelve accused individuals, digital evidence, and testimonies from the complainant and other parties will be crucial for the case’s progress.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
