The Income Tax Department raided the houses of superstars and leading producers associated with the Malayalam film industry since last December 15. The investigation focused on the financial transactions and production companies of people active in the production field of Malayalam cinema such as Mohanlal, Mammootty, Prithviraj, Listin Stephen, Anton Joseph, and Anthony Perumbavoor.
About 72 crore rupees, which should reach the exchequer as tax, were concealed. Irregularities have also been identified when people including prominent stars have bought properties abroad. Mohanlal’s statement was recorded yesterday by the Income Tax Department.
The raid was predicated on the fact that some of the producers had claimed through social media that the collection had crossed fifty to seventy crores before two weeks of the film’s release. So far, the Income Tax Department has identified a black money transaction of Rs 225 crore. Some stars and producers have invested heavily in Dubai and Qatar.