Kerala's first woman Director General of Police and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor R. Sreelekha has alleged that the stories of two Malayalam films starring actor Shane Nigam — 'Dridham' and 'Bhoothakaalam' — were lifted from her original written works. The allegations, made through a social media post, have sparked a fresh debate in Malayalam cinema over story ownership and originality.

The Plagiarism Claims

Sreelekha alleged that the recently released police-themed film 'Dridham' was made by copying her short story 'Karinkudi Police Station', which she had written years ago and was published in Mathrubhumi Weekly. She said she realised the similarity only after watching the film, and subsequently shared a link to the audio version of her story — available on her official YouTube channel — for those who had not read it.

She raised parallel allegations against the critically acclaimed and award-winning film 'Bhoothakaalam', claiming it was based on an experience-based story titled 'Bhootha Bhavanam', which she had shared on her YouTube channel three years ago. According to Sreelekha, the similarity was evident even in the titles of the two works.

Who Is R. Sreelekha

Sreelekha served as Kerala's first woman DGP before retiring from service. Following her retirement, she joined the BJP and was elected as a councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections last year. She has maintained a public presence through her official YouTube channel, where she shares stories and personal experiences.

Sreelekha's Stance on Shane Nigam

Despite the allegations against the filmmakers, Sreelekha was careful to separate her grievances from any personal animus toward the actor. She clarified that she holds a 'special affection' for Shane Nigam, having admired him since watching the film 'Parava'. She likened him to a young police officer she had worked with and considered like a younger brother.

Referring to Shane's role as a police officer in 'Dridham', Sreelekha said the character reminded her of a policeman named Mohammed, who used to gift her mango saplings, pure honey, and ghee — a detail that underscored the personal resonance the story held for her.

What Happens Next

Sreelekha confirmed she has filed complaints against the filmmakers of both productions. The allegations add to a growing conversation in the Malayalam film industry about the attribution and protection of original stories, particularly those shared informally through digital platforms. No response from the filmmakers or production houses had been reported at the time of publication.