Popular entrepreneur-cum-producer CJ Roy of Confident Group was found dead in his office in Bengaluru on Friday. Primilinary reports revealed suicide as the cause. The business tycoon was under scanner from the Income Tax Department with officials carrying out searches in his offices across the city.
Beyond his business ventures, Roy was also tied to the Malayalam film industry and was actively into producing movies and helping financiers for projects to be released smoothly. While details regarding his death and reasons behind the same are unknown, several notable names from the industry have been sharing their condolences.
Actor Mohanlal, whose films like Casanovva (2012) and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021) were produced by Roy, called him a "dear friend" and expressed his shock and grief following his demise. Taking to his Facebook handle, the actor wrote, "The loss of my dear friend CJ Roy feels unreal and deeply painful. My heart goes out to his family in this time of immense grief. He was more than a friend, he will always be remembered with love and warmth."
C J Roy, alias Chiriyankandath Joseph Roy, died after sustaining bullet injuries, police officials said, hinting at the possibility of the businessman shooting himself. He had completed his primary education in Bengaluru before pursuing his higher studies in Paris. Roy formed the Confident Group in 2005. Over the last 20 years, the company has grown multifold with assets reportedly exceeding over Rs 8000 crore. He had produced close to ten Kannada and Malayalam films featuring top actors in both the industries. Some of them include Mohanlal's Ladies and Gentleman (2013), Crazy Loka (2012) and Radhana Ganda (2013) in Kannada, Suresh Gopi's Meim Hoom Moosa (2022) and Tovino Thomas' Identity (2025). He also served as the co-producer for Bhavana's upcoming film Anomie which is slated to release on February 6. Investigation around his death is currently underway.
Mohanlal is currently awaiting the release of Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot, which will see Mohanlal and Mammootty reuniting after 17 years. It also features top stars Nayanthara, Rajeev Menon, Fahadh Faasil, and Kunchacko Boban, and is scheduled for release in theatres on April 23, 2026. He will also be reuniting with director Tharun Moorthy's L366 following the success of last year's Thudarum. His 367th film is set to be directed by Meppadiyan maker Vishnu Mohan.
