In the wake of a called-off wedding and swirling allegations, music composer Palash Muchhal has filed a defamation case seeking ₹10 crore in damages against actor-producer Vidnyan Mane. The legal action follows accusations made by Mane, who claims to be a friend of cricketer Smriti Mandhana, alleging that Muchhal cheated him of ₹40 lakh and was unfaithful to Mandhana. Muchhal has vehemently denied these claims, asserting they are "false, outrageous, and highly defamatory" and made with the deliberate intention to damage his reputation.

The dispute arose after reports surfaced that Mane had approached the police in Sangli, Maharashtra, alleging financial misconduct by Muchhal. According to Mane's complaint, he met Muchhal on December 5, 2023, and expressed interest in investing in Muchhal's film project titled "Nazaria". Mane claims Muchhal promised him a ₹12 lakh profit on a ₹25 lakh investment once the film was released on OTT platforms, and even offered him a role in the film. Over time, Mane alleges he paid Muchhal a total of ₹40 lakh by March 2025. However, the film project reportedly stalled, and Mane claims he received no response when he asked for his money back.

Adding fuel to the fire, Mane also accused Muchhal of cheating on Smriti Mandhana, leading to their wedding being called off. Mane told Hindustan Times that Muchhal was caught "red-handed with another woman in bed" at the wedding celebrations in November 2025 and was allegedly beaten up by Indian female cricketers present. He also accused Muchhal's mother of blackmailing him, claiming she demanded an additional ₹10 lakh investment to release the movie.

Muchhal has refuted all these allegations, taking to Instagram to announce the defamation case. He stated that a legal notice has been sent to Mane through his lawyer, Shreyansh Mithare, for making false and defamatory accusations. Muchhal's lawyer has also dismissed Mane's claims of investing ₹40 lakh, stating there is no evidence to support this.

The controversy has gained significant media attention, especially after news of Muchhal's called-off wedding with Smriti Mandhana. Following the allegations made by Mane, Muchhal released a statement calling them "baseless and factually incorrect" and driven by malicious intent. He affirmed that the matter would be addressed strictly through legal channels. The case is now set to proceed through the legal system, with Muchhal seeking to clear his name and recover damages for the alleged defamation.