The Income Tax (I-T) department has issued a new notice to actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran, seeking additional details about income generated from several films he co-produced in the past. Sources indicate that the notice was delivered to the actor in late March by the Kochi office of the I-T department, with a deadline to respond by the end of April.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Malayalam film industry, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) simultaneously investigates Gokulam Gopalan, a prominent Kerala-based businessman and co-producer of Prithviraj’s latest directorial project, L2: Empuraan. On April 4, 2025, ED officials conducted searches at Gopalan’s offices and other locations linked to an alleged foreign exchange violation case.
Prithviraj’s recent film, L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and released on March 27, has also stirred controversy. Right-wing groups have criticized the movie for what they claim are veiled references to the 2002 Gujarat pogrom, adding a political dimension to the ongoing legal and financial probes.
The I-T department’s latest move is believed to be a continuation of a broader investigation initiated in December 2022, targeting suspected tax evasion and financial irregularities in the Malayalam film industry. During that probe, I-T officials raided the homes and offices of several prominent producers, including Antony Perumbavoor, Anto Joseph, and Listin Stephen, over allegations of unreported cash dealings and overseas real estate investments. Prithviraj’s properties were also searched at the time.
Insiders suggest that the current notice to Prithviraj is tied to the earlier findings, with the department now focusing on discrepancies in income reported from his co-produced films. Meanwhile, the ED’s actions against Gokulam Gopalan signal a parallel effort to uncover potential financial misconduct linked to L2: Empuraan and related ventures.
As the investigations unfold, both the I-T department and the ED are expected to deepen their inquiries into the financial dealings of key figures in Kerala’s film industry. Neither Prithviraj Sukumaran nor Gokulam Gopalan has issued a public statement regarding the latest developments.
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