Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamsa arrested in Kochi on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja

Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa.

Personnel of the Excise Department arrested film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa during a pre-dawn raid on Sunday (April 27, 2025), on the charge of possessing suspected hybrid ganja, from the apartment of a director-cum-cinematographer in Kochi.

While Mr. Rahman has directed movies like Alappuzha Gymkhana, Thallumala and Unda, Mr. Hamsa was the director of films such as Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. The duo and one Shahid Mohammed were held from the apartment of Samir Thahir with 1.5 g of suspected hybrid ganja.

They reportedly claimed that they converged at the apartment to discuss a movie. “The raid was conducted on the basis of a tip-off. The duo were released on bail by 7 a.m., since the quantity of the drug was minimum. They are suspected to be regular users of the drug and were nabbed just as they were about to use it. They escaped by a whisker in a similar raid we had conducted in March at the apartment. A probe is on to identify the source of the hybrid ganja,” said a senior Excise officer.

Notice to be sent

Excise sources said the documents regarding the raid and arrest would be submitted in the court on Monday. In addition, a notice will be sent to Mr. Thahir, who owns the apartment, for questioning in connection with the case, since action can be taken against those whose premises are used for drug use. “The suspected supplier of the drug has switched off his phone and efforts are being made to zero in on him,” they said.

They added that Operation Clean Slate, a special drive that was launched in March to combat drug trafficking in Kerala, has been an effective deterrent against drug abuse.

Their arrest comes a few days after the controversy over an incident involving actor Shine Tom Chacko who reportedly fled from a hotel in Kaloor during a raid by the police. Subsequently, the Excise team probing a hybrid ganja seizure case served notices on him and also on actor Sreenath Bhasi, directing them to appear before them on April 28, 2025.

FEFKA move

The FEFKA Directors’ Union has in the meantime decided to suspend the two directors, in the wake of Sunday’s arrest. Further measures will be taken based on the progress of the case, said G.S. Vijayan, general secretary of the union.