‘L2: Empuraan’ row: After Gokulam Gopalan, actor-director Prithviraj Sukamaran gets IT notice over films released in 2022

A day after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the premises of Gokulam Gopalan, co-producer of the recent Malayalam blockbuster ‘L2: Empuraan’, the Income Tax department has reportedly issued notice to actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran over his films released in 2022.

According to reports, a notice has been issued to Prithviraj Sukumaran seeking clarification regarding his income in three films – Jana Gana Mana, Gold and Kaduva, all released in 2022. ‘Prithviraj Productions’, the production house owned by the actor was a co-producer of these films. The notice was reportedly sent to the actor on March 29, two days after the release of Empuraan and controversy erupted over the alleged depiction of the 2002 Godhra riots in the film.

 

However, the IT department claimed the notice was sent as part of ‘usual procedure’ and was follow-up to searches conducted at premises related to the actor in 2022. Reportedly, the actor has been given time till April 29 to respond to the notice.

 

Prithviraj, who also portrays Zayeed Masood in the film Empuraan has been facing backlash from Sangh Parivar for alleged biased portrayal of Godhra riots in the film Empuraan. Sangh Parivar leaders accused the filmmaker of “distorting facts” and portraying Hindus in poor light. Following huge backlash, the filmmakers made 24 “voluntary” edits to the film and released it earlier this week. The film has grossed over Rs 200 crore in the box office.

 

The notice comes to light a day after ED conducted raids at premises related to Gokulam Gopalan as part of a probe into alleged Rs 1,000 crore "foreign exchange violation". The opposition questioned the timing of the raids and charged it was triggered by his involvement in the film. ED claimed Gopalan has been under its radar for FEMA violations since 2023.

India