I-T raids continue on film production houses in Hyderabad for second day
Hyderabad: Income Tax Department officials have extended their raids for a second day in Hyderabad, focusing on prominent film industry figures, including renowned producer Dil Raju and companies linked to the production of the blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the raids targeted several locations in the city, including Dil Raju's residence in Ujas Villas, Jubilee Hills, and other properties in Banjara Hills. Officials also searched the offices of Mythri Movie Makers, the production company behind Pushpa 2, and Mango Mass Media, a major film distributor.
The I-T department's actions appear to be linked to scrutiny of the large income tax returns filed by those under investigation. Sources suggest that the raids specifically involve an inquiry into the budget and revenue of high-profile films such as Pushpa 2 and other recent productions associated with Dil Rajuโs Sri Venkateshwara Creations and his brother Sirish.
On the first day of the operation, officials reportedly took Dil Raju's wife, Tejaswini, to a bank where they opened lockers, possibly to examine financial documents. Rumors suggest that Dil Raju may be summoned for further questioning at the Sri Venkateshwara Creations office.
Along with Dil Raju, other individuals under investigation include the key figures of Mythri Movie Makers, such as Naveen Yerneni, Yalamanchali Ravi Shankar, and CEO Cherry. The raids follow the commercial success of Pushpa 2, which contributed to the scrutiny of these film industry figures.
A total of 55 teams from the Income Tax Department are involved in the ongoing operation. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the exact reasons for the searches or any findings from the raids.
Dil Raju, also known as V. Venkata Ramana, is a leading film producer and the chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC). His recent works include Game Changer, which received mixed reviews, and Sankranthiki Vasthunam, which became a major box office hit during the Sankranthi season.