Music composer Palash Muchhal is facing legal issues following the cancellation of his wedding to Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana. A complaint has been filed against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, based on allegations from Smriti’s childhood friend, Vidnyan Mane.
Vidnyan Mane, who resides in Sangli, accused Muchhal of making derogatory remarks related to caste during an altercation concerning a financial disagreement. The legal action stems from claims that Muchhal had taken Rs 25 lakh from Mane as an investment for a film project named Nazariya. Mane alleged that Muchhal had promised to finish the film within six months and had also offered him a role in it. According to Mane, the agreement included a return of the initial investment and profits post-release, but he claimed that the film was never produced.
The conflict reportedly escalated when Mane began asking for his money back. He alleged that Muchhal delayed repayment for several months before ultimately refusing to return the funds.
The confrontation occurred on November 22, 2025, during a meeting in Sangli, where Mane accused Muchhal of using casteist slurs and humiliating language towards him.
In an interview with the press, Mane expressed his frustration, stating, “He promised to finish the film in six months, but he turned out to be deceitful. When I requested my money back, he avoided giving it to me. During our meeting, he insulted me with caste-based remarks, which I cannot repeat on camera. His mindset is extremely disturbing.”
Earlier this year, Muchhal announced on social media that he had filed a defamation lawsuit for Rs 10 crore against Vidnyan Mane, claiming the allegations were baseless and damaging to his reputation. He shared on Instagram, “A legal notice for defamation of Rs 10 crore has been sent by my lawyer Shreyansh Mithare to Vidnyan Mane from Sangli for his false and highly defamatory statements made to tarnish my name and character.”
This controversy arose shortly after Muchhal and Mandhana called off their wedding in December 2025. The couple had initially planned to marry on November 23, but the ceremony was reportedly postponed due to a medical emergency involving Smriti’s father. At the same time, Muchhal was hospitalized in Mumbai, which added to the speculation regarding their relationship.
Rumors circulated online, with various unverified sources suggesting there were issues between the couple. Muchhal later addressed these speculations through an Instagram post, stating, “I have decided to move on with my life and step back from my personal relationship. It has been incredibly challenging to witness people react so quickly to unfounded rumors about something so sacred to me. This is the hardest phase of my life, and I will navigate it with grace, holding onto my beliefs.”
He also urged individuals not to rush to judgment based on gossip, emphasizing, “I genuinely hope we, as a society, learn to pause before making judgments about others based on unverified rumors, whose sources are seldom known. Our words can inflict wounds in ways we may never comprehend.”
Following the cancellation of their wedding, both Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana unfollowed each other on Instagram and have since refrained from publicly discussing their relationship.
This report includes factual information regarding legal disputes and financial accusations that have not been independently verified. It is intended solely for informational purposes and does not represent legal or financial advice; readers are encouraged to consult qualified professionals for similar matters.
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