Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Music composer and singer Palash Muchhal appeared at Andheri Court on Saturday to file a criminal defamation case against Marathi actor-producer Vidnyan Mane, seeking Rs 10 crore in damages. The legal move comes after Mane levelled allegations of cheating and financial fraud worth over Rs 40 lakh against the composer, claims Muchhal says have severely damaged his reputation.Muchhal arrived at court accompanied by his legal team and kept a low profile throughout the proceedings.
Dressed simply, he declined to comment on the accusations or his cancelled wedding with Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana. After the hearing, the composer exited the premises without addressing the media and left directly in his car.The controversy marks another turbulent chapter for Muchhal, who has remained in the headlines since his highly publicised split with Mandhana last year. The cricketer’s wedding with Muchhal was reportedly called off after allegations emerged that the musician had been unfaithful. Mane, Mandhana’s childhood friend, has since made explosive claims, alleging that Muchhal was caught with another woman during wedding celebrations and was subsequently confronted.Recalling the incident, Mane told Hindustan Times, “I was at the wedding celebrations (November, 23, 2025) when he was caught red-handed with another woman in bed. Bhayanak scene tha. He was beaten up by the Indian female cricketers.”Mane has also accused Muchhal of cheating him of Rs 40 lakh in connection with an investment in an unreleased film. He further claimed that Muchhal’s family later asked him to invest an additional Rs 10 lakh, warning that he would otherwise lose his earlier investment.Following Mane’s statements, Muchhal issued a strong rebuttal on social media, calling the accusations baseless. “In light of the allegations made by Sangli-based Vidnyan Mane on social media, I wish to state that these claims against me are entirely baseless and factually incorrect…,” Muchhal wrote, adding that his lawyer Shreyansh Mithare is pursuing legal remedies.
On Saturday, Muchhal confirmed that a Rs 10 crore defamation notice had been sent to Mane for what he described as “false, outrageous and highly defamatory accusations.” His lawyer reiterated that no money had reached the composer-filmmaker and said the claims were aimed at damaging his client’s image.
