Veteran Filmmaker Shakeel Noorani Arrested Amidst Grave Sexual Assault Allegations
Mumbai: Veteran filmmaker Shakeel Noorani, 73, known for his work as a writer, producer, and director on films such as Bade Dil Wala (1999) and Joru Ka Ghulam (2000), has been arrested by the Malvani Police. The arrest follows a serious complaint of alleged rape and sexual assault filed by a 33-year-old actress.
According to reports from Mid-day, police sources allege that Noorani sexually assaulted the complainant after inviting her to his Malvani residence under the guise of discussing a potential film project. The complaint reportedly details allegations that the actress was sedated and subsequently threatened with a compromising video.
Noorani was traced to a farmhouse in Medha, located in Maharashtra’s Satara district, where he was taken into custody in the early hours of August 8. He was then transported to Mumbai for further legal proceedings.
Noorani Booked Under Key BNS Sections
The Malvani Police have registered a case against Noorani under several sections of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 64(2)(M), 123, 351(2), and 88. These sections pertain to serious offenses including sexual assault and related charges.
Allegations Detail Events Beginning in 2016
The actress’s complaint states that she first encountered Noorani at an entertainment awards event in Lokhandwala in 2016. At the time, the filmmaker reportedly discussed an upcoming project and encouraged her to contact him for potential work opportunities.
Her First Information Report (FIR) further details that she later visited his Malvani residence to discuss a script, which reportedly led to the alleged incidents.
Actress Alleges Repeated Sexual Assault and Intimidation
According to her complaint, Noorani allegedly offered her a drink, after which she lost consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, she claims Noorani showed her a video on his phone and threatened to release it if she reported the incident to the police or her family.
The actress has further alleged that the filmmaker subsequently used this video to intimidate her, leading to repeated instances of sexual assault. She also claimed that he consistently made her take contraceptive pills following these alleged assaults. The complainant reportedly returned to Mumbai in 2026 seeking financial assistance for medical treatment, which may have prompted the filing of the complaint.
Police Operation to Locate and Arrest Noorani
During the course of their investigation, police learned that Noorani was residing at a farmhouse in the Medha area of Satara district. A local police team successfully traced him to the location and detained him at the Medha Police Station. Malvani Police officials then traveled to Satara to finalize the arrest procedures. Authorities confirmed that Noorani underwent a medical examination at the Rural Hospital in Medha before being brought to Mumbai.
Noorani’s Lawyer Denies Allegations
Advocate Vikas Singh Goar, representing Noorani, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that his client has been wrongly implicated. “The allegations made by the actress are yet to be established before a court, and the investigation is underway. Noorani is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” Goar stated, emphasizing the legal principle of innocence until proven guilty.
Filmmaker Remanded in Police Custody
The police sought custody of Noorani to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, including efforts to recover and examine the alleged video, and to ascertain whether the alleged offenses occurred at additional locations. The Borivli holiday court has since remanded Noorani to police custody until August 12, allowing investigators more time to gather evidence and build their case.
