Who Is Shine Tom Chacko, and why did he bolt from a drug raid in Kerala?

Dubai: Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko has made headlines again —but not for his acting chops.

This time, the actor reportedly fled a hotel in North Ernakulam during a drug raid on April 16, with CCTV footage allegedly showing him bolting down the stairs.

According to reports, the local police were conducting a surprise drug test and Shine was conducting his own escape drill. In the unintentionally hilarious video, the actor is seen making a dash from the third floor to the second floor, before reaching the exit. The actor's sprightliness and urgency in escaping cops has gone viral.

Shine, a well-known face in Malayalam cinema, is facing serious allegations from actress Vincy Aloshious. She has filed a formal complaint accusing him of inappropriate behavior on the sets of their film Soothravakyam, claiming he was under the influence of drugs at the time. According to her, he acted erratically, tried to adjust her costume without consent, and during a rehearsal, a white substance reportedly spilled from his mouth—adding to her distress.

This incident isn't an isolated one. In 2015, Shine was arrested in Kochi for allegedly possessing narcotics. However, on February 11, 2025, the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court acquitted him due to procedural lapses and lack of evidence .​

Beyond his off-screen controversies, Shine's on-screen journey is noteworthy. He began his career as an assistant director to Kamal for nearly a decade before making his acting debut in the 2011 film Gaddama. He gained prominence with his lead role in the 2014 fantasy-comedy Ithihasa, which dealt with body-swapping. His performances in films such as Ee Adutha Kaalathu, Annayum Rasoolum, Godha, Parava, Mayanadhi, Ishq, and Maniyarayile Ashokan have been well-received. Notably, he won the SIIMA Award in 2019 for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Malayalam) for his role in Ishq

I once had a bizarre run-in with this actor in Dubai during an interview with his Thallumaala co-star Kalyani Priyadarshan. Out of nowhere, Shine wandered into our set-up, broke into the middle of our conversation like it was a casual tea-party session—and then, as if channeling his inner café waiter, offered me a cookie. A literal cookie. It was whacky, borderline theatrical, and unmistakably Shine.

For those unfamiliar, Shine is a well-known face in Malayalam cinema, celebrated for intense roles in films like Ishq, Annayum Rasoolum, Parava, and Gaddama. He’s also dabbled in Tamil (Beast) and Telugu (Dasara) films. Despite his range as an actor, off-screen he often leans into eccentric territory.

This latest episode comes just months after he was acquitted in a 2015 drug case due to procedural lapses and lack of evidence. But with this fresh controversy brewing, the actor seems to be doing his best to stay in the limelight—whether it’s through cinema or sudden exits.

Stay tuned.