Palaash Muchhal, music composer and director, looks to face some trouble. As the public mulls over his abrupt separation and cancelled wedding with the cricketer Smriti Mandhana, a fresh legal fight has surfaced. The 34-year-old actor and producer, named Vidnyan Mane, lodged a formal complaint against Muchhal with the Sangli District Police stating that he cheated him of ₹40 lakh under the guise of a film investment.
The "Nazariya" Connection
As per the complaint submitted to the Superintendent of Police, Sangli, this ordeal started on December 5, 2023, when Mane got to know Muchhal at Sangli. At this meeting, Mane showed a sincere interest in pursuing a career in film production. Palaash Muchhal is said to have been suggesting Mane invest in his upcoming project Nazariya. Mane described the terms of the deal as very lucrative:
- Return High: Muchhal, it has been reported, offered that an investment of ₹25 lakh would yield a profit of ₹12 lakh after being released on OTT platforms.
- Acting Role: Besides the monetary upside, Mane was allegedly recommended to become an actor in the film to sweeten the deal.
Broken Promises and Blocked Calls
Confident in the composer’s reputation, Mane purportedly paid a sum of ₹40 lakh in cash and various accounts over the internet in digital channels (e.g., Google Pay) by March 2025. But, the project was never completed. It became evident that the film had stalled, Mane says, and he asked for a refund of the investment he invested in that venture.
Although Muchhal first promised to repay him the money, the complainant claims that the composer ultimately ceased to answer calls and even blocked his number. With nothing else left to do, Mane went to authorities with transactions as proof.
Timing of the Scandal
This story is a very sensitive moment for Muchhal. In December 2025, Smriti Mandhana and Palaash Muchhal formally canceled their wedding date, originally planned for November 23. The first reason was due to the hospitalization of Smriti's father, but in a later statement the two parties both said they had "decided to move on" amid a lot of speculation in social media.
Current Legal Status
Sangli Police have reported receipt of applications and preliminary investigations started. "We are checking and verifying the documents and transactions provided by the complainant, as this is pending and necessary for it to be successful." "An official FIR has not actually been set up but a comprehensive investigation has been undertaken,” a senior police official said. Palaash Muchhal, who recently revealed the upcoming directorial role of Shreyas Talpade, has not made such an official statement relating to the claims of fraud.
