Dubai-based businessman Dr CJ Roy was more than a flamboyant entrepreneur, he produced Mohanlal’s Casanova and other star-studded films

Reports emerging from Kerala claim he shot himself during an income tax raid in Bengaluru

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor
Casanova (2010): Malayalam superstar Mohanlal switched in a movie produced by CJ Roy of Confident Group
Casanova (2010): Malayalam superstar Mohanlal switched in a movie produced by CJ Roy of Confident Group
OLIVER CLARKE/ GULF NEWS

Dubai: Malayalam cinema fans are mourning the sudden death of Dr. CJ Roy, founder and chairman of the Confident Group, remembering him not only as a businessman but also as a passionate film producer.

He has produced films including Mohanlal's big budget film 'Casanova' and his most recent film 'Anomie', starring Rahman and Bhavana.

The stars are due to promote the film in the UAE this weekend, but it's yet to confirmed if they will continue with the international press interactions.

While details are still trickling in on the nature of his tragic death, reports claim that he shot himself during an income tax raid in Bengaluru.

But there's more to him than his inglorious, crushing end. He wanted to support larger-than-life movies, led by stars like Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi.

Dr Roy, who took pride in leading a flamboyant life, also made sure his movies that he backed also reflected his larger-than-life existence.

Some of his notable productions include Ladies And Gentleman starring Mohanlal and Marakkar: Lion Of The Arabian Sea. He also produced Mein Hoom Moosa in 2022, a satirical comedy starring Suresh Gopi.

His latest project is Anomie, a sci-fi thriller starring Bhavana and Rahman. It's yet to be ascertained if the cast, who were scheduled to visit Dubai to promote the film, will continue with the press junket.

While he dabbled largely iin real estate, Dr Roy was also known for backing ambitious films ranging from period sagas to thrillers. He will remembered for leaving a legacy where he blended his love for story telling with business strategy.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha RadhakrishnanEntertainment, Lifestyle and Sport Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.
Related Topics:

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next