Who is Chidambaram S Poduval, the Manjummel Boys director charged with sexual assault allegations

Chidambaram made his directorial debut with the 2021 film Jan.E.Man, a unique ensemble drama that quickly gained appreciation from audiences for its unusual storytelling.

• Malayalam director Chidambaram booked in sexual harassment case
• Case filed after woman alleged incident in 2022
• Chidambaram rose to fame with 2024 hit film Manjummel Boys

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Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram S Poduval has been booked by Kerala Police in connection with a sexual harassment case. According to Mathrubhumi News, the Ernakulam South Police registered the case on Sunday after a woman filed a formal complaint alleging that the incident took place in 2022. As of now, Chidambaram has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Amid the legal developments, many are revisiting the filmmaker’s journey, career milestones, and rise within the Malayalam film industry.

Who is Chidambaram?

Chidambaram made his directorial debut with the 2021 film Jan.E.Man, a unique ensemble drama that quickly gained appreciation from audiences for its unusual storytelling.

He co-wrote the film with his younger brother, actor Ganapathi S Poduval, marking an early creative partnership in the family.

Before becoming a director, Chidambaram sharpened his skills behind the scenes. He worked as an assistant director to the well-known filmmaker Jayaraj. He also gained experience as an assistant cinematographer under Rajeev Ravi and K. U. Mohanan.

However, it was Manjummel Boys that catapulted him to nationwide fame.

The Phenomenon of Manjummel Boys

Released in 2024, Manjummel Boys was inspired by real-life events. The survival drama followed a group of friends from Manjummel, a small town near Kochi, whose vacation turns into a nightmare when one of them falls into an 800-foot-deep pit in the Guna Caves in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.

Mounted on a reported budget of Rs 20 crore, the film struck an emotional chord with audiences across India and beyond. Its gripping narrative and grounded performances helped it emerge as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2024, reportedly earning over ₹240 crore worldwide. The film’s success firmly established Chidambaram as one of Malayalam cinema’s most promising contemporary directors.

Also read: Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram arrested by Kerala Police in connection with alleged sexual assault case: Report

Bollywood Debut on the Horizon

Even before the recent controversy, industry reports had suggested that Chidambaram was preparing to step into Hindi cinema. He is reportedly set to make his Bollywood directorial debut in collaboration with Phantom Studios.

While details of the project remain under wraps, the announcement had generated significant buzz, given the filmmaker’s track record and the massive success of Manjummel Boys.