The Excise department in Kerala has kicked up a storm by filing a chargesheet against four people, including three famous Malayalam filmmakers! Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamsa, Sameer Thahir, and their friend Shalif Muhammad are in hot water. The police nabbed them over possession of a tiny 1.5 grams of suspected hybrid ganja during a pre-dawn raid on April 27 at an apartment near Kochi's scenic Marine Drive. While the amount found is much less than 1 kilogram – which the law calls a ‘small quantity’ for cannabis – the trio and their friend have been slapped with charges under tough laws. They face Sections 20(b)(ii)(A) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. These laws include punishments for holding small quantities of cannabis and conspiracy to commit related offenses. But wait, the twist here is – if the charges are true, they might only have to cough up a fine! The source said, “The punishment, if the charges are proven, could be limited to a fine since the case involves only a small quantity of ganja.” The drama unfolded when Khalid Rahman, known for directing hits like Alappuzha Gymkhana, Thallumaala, and Unda, Ashraf Hamsa, famous for Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi, and Sameer Thahir, the cinematographer-turned-director behind Chappa Kurishu and Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, along with Shalif Muhammad, were caught in this case. Sameer Thahir was arrested later on May 5 when called for questioning. They all got bail after their arrests, but the mystery deepens because even though Excise officials said they found details of the supplier, that person remains at large. What’s next for these filmmakers? The court in Ernakulam will decide as things heat up in this small yet spicy ganja case!