Alappuzha Gymkhana director Khalid Rahman, filmmaker Ashraf Hamsa arrested for cannabis possession in Kochi

They were subsequently released on bail as the cannabis seized from them was not of commercial quantity. The flat owner, cinematographer and director Sameer Thahir, will be questioned in connection with the case, the Excise department said.

The Film Employees Federation Kerala (FEFKA), a body of film technicians, suspended the two directors hours after they were arrested.

Kochi Excise Deputy Commissioner T M Maju said a special drive against drug abuse in the film industry started on April 21. “We acted upon secret information. Shalif Muhammed, who supplied the hybrid cannabis to the film professionals, works in Australia. He had procured the substance from another person, who we have identified, but is yet to be tracked down. Hybrid ganja comes from Thailand and Malaysia to Kerala. The exact route of this supply will be known only after arresting the next person down in the network,” Maju said.

Khalid Rahman, 34, has directed several films since 2016, including the Mamootty-starrer Unda in 2019. Alappuzha Gymkhana is his latest movie. He has also acted in seven movies, including the blockbuster Manjummel Boys, released in 2024.

Ashraf Hamza, the other arrested filmmaker, had written the script for Rahman’s 2022 film, Thallumala. Hamza has directed three films and acted in a prominent role in the 2018 hit movie, Sudani from Nigeria.