The Bangur Nagar police have arrested Bengali film producer and director Shyam Sunder Dey, 47, for allegedly duping television and film actor Puja Banerjee — best known for her roles in Hindi TV serials Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna and the Telugu film Veedu Theda — of R2.58 crore under the guise of an OTT film rights investment scheme.
According to sources, acting on a tip-off, a police team led by API Vivek Tambe and API Rahul Bhadarge, under the guidance of DCP Sandeep Jadhav (Zone XI), and Senior Inspector Ravindra Avhad, apprehended Dey from Kolkata on September 20.
Dey was brought to Mumbai and, on Tuesday, was produced before the Borivli Metropolitan Magistrate Court and remanded in police custody till September 26. Two other accused involved in the alleged crime are said to be at large, and efforts are underway to trace them.
Case details
An FIR was filed by the actress in July in which she alleged that Dey posed as a financier and producer, convincing her and her husband, actor Kunal Verma, to invest in the broadcasting rights of 16 upcoming films supposedly set to premiere on major OTT platforms, including those under the Viacom18 banner.
Dey allegedly showed forged emails and fake correspondence with OTT executives to win their trust. The couple signed an agreement on April 9 and transferred Rs 2.68 crore between April 17 and May 25 to accounts linked with Dey’s alleged company, Shadow Films. In return, he promised a guaranteed profit of Rs 50 lakh and assured zero risk.
After receiving the funds, Dey claimed to be seriously ill and was even treated at Kokilaben Hospital, with the couple covering his medical expenses. Once recovered, he allegedly began dodging calls. WhatsApp chats submitted as evidence show him promising repayment of R50 lakh by June-end and the rest by July. However, only R9.5 lakh was repaid in two instalments before he cut off all communication.
Previous case
“Based on the complaint by the actress, we registered a case against Dey and his associates under sections 316(4), 318(4), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” said a police officer. During the probe, the officer came across a similar cheating case against Dey at Jorasanko police station, Kolkata, where he allegedly duped businessman Manish Singhania of R2.76 crore in the name of film production.”
