‘Naagzilla’ Producers Initiate Legal Action Over Alleged ₹3.92 Crore Misappropriation; Mumbai Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail Pleas
The producers of Naagzilla, starring Kartik Aaryan, have initiated legal proceedings following alleged financial irregularities during the film’s production, with three production executives accused of siphoning over ₹3.92 crore. In a major legal setback for the accused, a Mumbai sessions court rejected their anticipatory bail applications, ruling that prima facie evidence indicates their involvement and warrants custodial interrogation.
Additional Sessions Judge M. Mohiuddin of the Dindoshi court observed that detailed police inquiry is necessary to uncover the extent of the alleged financial misconduct. The three accused have been identified as Kuldeep Singh Champawat (47), a consultant and signing authority; Mahipal Karan Rathore (42), an executive producer; and Shivkumar Tiwari (45), who served as the line producer on the project.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Tukaram Mahadev Sawant, an accountant with Mahaveer Jain Films Pvt. Ltd. The production house had entered into a co-production agreement with Dharma Productions in October 2024 to mount the large-scale project. According to the complaint, Champawat, Rathore, and Tiwari were entrusted with overseeing line production, vendor management, and operational logistics.
The prosecution alleges that the trio bypassed standard corporate operating procedures, incurring unauthorized expenses totaling ₹3,92,76,308 without submitting valid invoices or supporting documentation. Investigating officers informed the court that the accused allegedly submitted fabricated bills and demanded personal commissions, along with expensive gifts, from third-party vendors in exchange for approving contracts and clearing payments.
With the rejection of their bail pleas, investigating authorities are set to proceed with custodial questioning to trace the misappropriated funds and examine suspect vendor accounts. Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand is a fantasy-adventure comedy directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and written by Gautam Mehra. Starring Kartik Aaryan alongside Preity Mukhundhan, the film is produced jointly by Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films. The feature is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on February 12, 2027.
