In a disturbing turn of events, the television industry has found itself caught in the crosshairs of an unfolding criminal drama. Acclaimed Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey, whose illustrious career spans over 60 films, has made grave allegations of abduction, extortion, and coercion against popular television couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma. What began as a business trip to Goa ended in a harrowing ordeal that has now triggered a full-blown police investigation.

The incident came to public light after Shyam’s wife, Malabika Dey, took to social media in an emotional post that quickly went viral. Her post included FIR copies, bank payment receipts, and WhatsApp chat screenshots that supported her claims. According to her, the couple, along with their associate Piyush Kothari, not only kidnapped Shyam but also forced him to transfer money under the threat of being falsely framed in a drug-related case.

In her heart-wrenching statement, Malabika wrote:
“I’m sharing a painful experience today—something no family should ever endure. On May 31, 2025, my husband, Mr. Shyamsundar Dey, a renowned Bengali film producer with more than 60 films to his credit, was involved in a shocking incident.”

She continued with chilling details:
“My husband was kidnapped, held against his will, threatened, and physically assaulted by Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and their influential associate Piyush Kothari over several days as part of an extortion attempt. While on a business trip in Goa, my husband drove a rented car when Puja and the others intercepted him and forcibly took him to an undisclosed location.”

According to Malabika, the situation escalated quickly and took a terrifying turn:
“In Goa, my husband was subjected to mental torture, and they demanded Rs 64 lakh from him. They threatened to falsely accuse him of a drug case if he didn’t comply. Terrified, Shyam paid Rs 23 lakh. I’ve saved all the receipts and transaction proofs showing the transfers made to Puja and Kunal’s accounts,” she stated.

Even more alarming were the claims about how Shyam’s privacy and security were completely violated.
“Shyam’s mobile phones were taken by Puja and Kunal, who also forced him to reveal personal details and passwords. They made multiple video recordings, compelling him to speak as instructed. For now, he has been safely recovered with the assistance of the Goa Police, headed by the North Goa Superintendent of Police.”

Following Shyam's rescue on June 4 from a villa in Goa, authorities have taken swift action. The Goa Police registered a formal FIR under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges filed—Sections 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2), and 3(5)—are serious, encompassing abduction, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy.

As the case gathers attention, Shyam himself has started sharing his side of the terrifying experience. A well-known name in the Bengali film world, Shyam claimed that his ordeal began during what was supposed to be a peaceful family vacation in Goa. He had planned to extend his stay for some business work after his family returned.

Describing the moment he was ambushed, Shyam said:
“My family stayed with me for about five days. They returned home for my child’s education purpose, and I decided to stay on to attend to some business matters.”

Then, on an otherwise regular day, something sinister unfolded.
“It came out of nowhere and forced me to a halt. Two men got down, approached me, and insisted I step out, all of it I assume will be there in CCTV. At first, I refused. But then I noticed Puja Banerjee — who has been like a sister to me — was present.”
Trusting her, Shyam complied.
“Seeing her, I let my guard down, thinking this must be a misunderstanding,” he recalled.

But what followed was far from a misunderstanding.
“They made me sit in their car and took me to Amber Villa. Initially, I was kept on the first floor, but because it was too close to the road and they feared attention, I was shifted upstairs.”

Sources close to the investigation say that police are reviewing CCTV footage, gathering forensic evidence from the villa, and closely analyzing financial transactions tied to the extortion claims.

📰 For further legal updates, refer to:

• Goa Police Official Website: https://citizen.goapolice.gov.in

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Provisions: https://www.mha.gov.in

“They made me sign papers”: Producer Shyam Sunder Dey reveals how TV actors allegedly held him captive in Goa villa

The nightmare that unfolded in a Goa villa for veteran Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey continued to take shocking turns as he recounted the psychological and physical trauma he endured over four long days. What began as a business trip turned into a horrifying experience of confinement, betrayal, and forced signatures under threats.

Describing his time in captivity, Shyam stated, “I stayed at the villa from the 1st to the 4th of June. I wasn’t allowed to leave. Every day I tried to reason with Puja and Kunal — I reminded them we were like family, pleaded with them to stop. But all I faced were threats.” His repeated appeals fell on deaf ears. Despite the emotional bond he shared with the couple, Shyam was not spared. He revealed that he was physically assaulted not just by Kunal Verma, but also by other unidentified men, while Puja Banerjee stood silently and watched.

“I told her, your husband is beating me, fine. But other men are thrashing me in front of you, and you’re silent? How can this be right?” he recounted, clearly shaken by her inaction.

Shyam also alleged that his mobile phones were seized, with two being completely taken away. One phone was temporarily left with him, supposedly to help him contact someone for financial assistance. Using that brief opportunity, he bravely sent his live location to his wife, a move that ultimately helped authorities track him down.
“One of the phones stayed with Puja, even when she was shooting in Bombay. Police later recovered one handset from Kunal, but the other remained with her until it was returned.”

Despite the ongoing threats and violence, Shyam continued trying to appeal to their humanity.
“I told them repeatedly what they were doing was sheer madness. But they simply said, ‘Don’t teach us what’s legal or illegal.’ I didn’t want to go to the police straight away — I knew the consequences. Their careers could be ruined, and they had been close to me for years. But when they began pressing me to sign property papers, I realised this had gone too far.”
Faced with no way out, and fearing for his life, Shyam took a desperate step — he secretly recorded a video from the villa’s bathroom, which his wife used to alert the Goa Police.

The authorities acted swiftly. Shyam was rescued on June 4, bringing an end to a terrifying episode. So far, neither Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, nor their associate Piyush Kothari has issued any formal statement on the allegations. Shyam’s wife, Malabika Dey, however, is determined to seek justice. She said they would pursue the case legally and hoped the film and television industry would rally behind them in this "betrayal of trust and friendship."

The First Information Report (FIR) filed after Shyam’s rescue names all three accused and cites sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—Sections 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2), and 3(5)—which address abduction, unlawful confinement, extortion, criminal threats, and conspiracy.

In her detailed post, Malabika claimed that Shyam was allegedly abducted and taken to Amber Villa, and held there for four days, during which he was assaulted, filmed under duress, and threatened with false implication in a narcotics case if he didn’t pay ₹64 lakh. Under severe stress, he ended up transferring ₹23 lakh, with payments reportedly made to Puja’s assistant in Kolkata and through RTGS transactions to Puja and Kunal’s bank accounts.

Calling it more than a criminal act, Malabika’s words cut deep:
“This has caused irreparable emotional and psychological harm. We’re pursuing justice and urge others to be cautious about the company they keep.”

Puja and Kunal: Their Side of the Story

While the FIR looms heavy, the television couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma had already spoken out—though on a different subject—just days before the case exploded publicly. In an emotional video titled “LOWEST PHASE OF OUR LIVES .. NEED UR SUPPORT , AND PRAYERS IN THIS DIFFICULT TIMES”, posted on their official YouTube channel, the couple claimed they were victims—not criminals. They spoke of a massive financial scam that allegedly wiped out their entire life savings.

In that video, Puja emotionally said,
“These last two to three months have been extremely difficult for us. We have no idea what will happen next. We have been victims of a financial scam. We lost a large amount. We lost all of our life savings. We have to start our life from zero, but we won't give up. We don't want to give up. In these tough times, all we want is your support and prayers. We have full faith in God.”

Kunal added, “They had beetn coming to the house for two-three years,” hinting that the scam might have come from someone within their inner circle. They didn't name anyone in the video, but their desperation was clear.

Puja also shared that concerned fans had started noticing changes in her social media posts. On Eid, she had posted a modest message about having just dal-chawal with a friend — a small but meaningful hint at their financial struggles.

Kunal, addressing their fans directly, said, “We belong to an industry where our livelihood depends entirely on your love and support. Our work remains unfulfilled if you don't watch it. We want you to know there is a person behind this fraud, of which we are huge victims.”

However, none of their statements directly responded to the criminal allegations made by Shyam Dey.

Finally, Shyam put forth a crucial clarification that perhaps cuts through all the noise and accusations:
“I am not saying that the money they demanded was compensation for the abduction. Yes, we had professional transactions. But no business loss, no due payment can justify this kind of madness. Abduction or kidnapping can never be a fair or lawful way to settle anything. There is no excuse for what happened.”