Actor-producer Vidnyan Mane has levelled a series of serious allegations against singer-composer Palaash Muchhal, claiming that Muchhal cheated Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and also defrauded him of more than ₹40 lakh linked to an unreleased film project. Mane has filed a formal complaint in Sangli, Maharashtra.
‘Caught red-handed' at wedding celebrations
Speaking to Hindustan Times (HT), Mane, 34, claimed that he personally witnessed an incident during the wedding celebrations scheduled for November 23, 2025. He said, “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.” He further claimed that he is a childhood friend of Mandhana and was introduced to Muchhal through her family.
Mane said he had believed Muchhal would eventually settle in Sangli after marriage, adding that the entire episode “completely backfired” on him, both personally and financially.
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Allegations of financial cheating and blackmail
Beyond the personal allegations, Mane accused Muchhal and his family of financial wrongdoing. He claimed to have invested over ₹40 lakh in an unreleased film associated with Muchhal. Mane said, “When I met his mother (Amita Muchhal) last month, she said the budget to release the movie has now increased to ₹1.5 crore. They asked me to invest another ₹10 lakh or I wouldn’t get any money back.”
“They started blackmailing me and threatened to throw me out of the film,” Mane alleged, adding that this left him with no option but to approach the authorities.
Muchhal denies allegations, legal action planned
Muchhal has denied all allegations. In an Instagram story, he termed the claims “entirely baseless and factually incorrect.” He wrote, “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. They have been made with malicious intent to tarnish my reputation, and they will not go unchallenged. My lawyer, Shreyansh Mithare, is exploring all legal avenues, and this matter will be dealt with strictly through the appropriate legal channels.”
Responding to HT City, advocate Shreyansh Mithare questioned the absence of documentary proof of payments and said there was no evidence to support the allegations about Muchhal being caught with another woman.
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He said, “He (Vidnyan) claims he has paid us money, but there is no evidence whether he paid by cheque or bank transfer. All the allegations about Palaash being caught with another woman — what is the evidence? We don’t know this guy; we met him through Smriti’s father (Shrinivas). We have no direct connection with him. Why did he keep quiet so long? It’s only after the marriage broke that he (Vidnyan) has turned up. Palaash is exploring his legal options.”
Wedding called off amid speculation
Muchhal and Mandhana’s wedding, originally scheduled for November 23, 2025, was first postponed citing health emergencies in both families and later permanently cancelled in December 2025. Following widespread speculation, both issued separate statements confirming the wedding would not take place, while requesting privacy as they moved on from the episode.
