Amidst ongoing Controversy Regarding Empuraan Movie, Producer Antony Perumbavoor gets Income Tax Notice
Amidst the heated debate, reports also surfaced that director Prithviraj Sukumaran had been served a separate income tax notice. Additionally, co-producer Gokulam Gopalan’s offices were reportedly raided by the Enforcement Directorate
Film producer Antony Perumbavoor has received a notice from the Income Tax Department, seeking clarification over alleged financial transactions, including an amount of Rs 2.5 crore reportedly paid to actor Mohanlal in Dubai in 2022. The notice, issued towards the end of last month, directs Perumbavoor to respond with detailed explanations by the end of April. Income Tax Bill 2025:...
Film producer Antony Perumbavoor has received a notice from the Income Tax Department, seeking clarification over alleged financial transactions, including an amount of Rs 2.5 crore reportedly paid to actor Mohanlal in Dubai in 2022. The notice, issued towards the end of last month, directs Perumbavoor to respond with detailed explanations by the end of April.
Income Tax Bill 2025: What’s New, What’s Gone, and What You Must Know! Click here
Sources from the Income Tax Department confirmed that this notice is part of a broader investigation that stems from the raids conducted in 2022 at the offices and residences of several prominent film producers in Kerala. The notice is said to be a follow-up to those raids and is primarily focused on financial activities related to past film productions such as Lucifer and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. Officials, however, have emphasized that the current proceedings are not directly linked to the recently released and controversial film L2: Empuraan.
FEMA violation: ED Raid in Empuraan producer Gokulam Gopalan’s office
Antony Perumbavoor, known for producing high-budget Malayalam films under his banner Aashirvad Cinemas, has been asked to clarify specific overseas financial dealings, particularly those that took place between 2019 and 2022. The Rs 2.5 crore transaction allegedly involving Mohanlal during a 2022 visit to Dubai has become a focal point in the inquiry. Authorities maintain that the inquiry is routine as part of ongoing assessment proceedings following earlier raids and that such assessments generally take about three years to conclude.
The controversy around L2: Empuraan has already drawn attention in recent weeks. The film, which faced criticism from right-wing groups for its political and social themes, underwent voluntary edits by its makers following the backlash. Amidst the heated debate, reports also surfaced that director Prithviraj Sukumaran had been served a separate income tax notice. Additionally, co-producer Gokulam Gopalan’s offices were reportedly raided by the Enforcement Directorate.
Income Tax Bill 2025: What’s New, What’s Gone, and What You Must Know! Click here
Despite clarifications from the Income Tax Department that the current notice to Perumbavoor is unrelated to the Empuraan controversy, the timing has sparked speculation across media and public circles. With the deadline for Antony Perumbavoor's response approaching, industry insiders and observers are keenly watching the developments, especially as they unfold in the backdrop of one of the most talked-about Malayalam films of recent times.
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