Empuraan Director Prithviraj Sukumaran Gets Income Tax Notice Over 'Payment Issue'

The Income Tax Department has served a notice to recently released Empuraan director Prithviraj Sukumaran. The notice is reportedly in connection with payment issues regarding three films co-produced by the actor-filmmaker. The actor has been asked to respond to the notice by April 29, as per reports by local media.

It is reported that the notice was served before the controversies in connection with the recent release of Empuraan, which sparked right-wing outrage against the filmmakers for depicting scenes resembling the Gujarat riots of 2002. Following the backlash, the movie was re-released with at least 24 cuts in different scenes.

Read Also: ED Raids Empuraan Producer Gokulam Gopalan’s Offices In Kerala, Tamil Nadu

On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids across multiple offices of the controversial movie’s co-producer, Gokulam Gopalan, alleging law violations in Chit fund transactions.

Last year, the IT department had conducted raid in the actor’s house and offices, and the latest notice is believed to be part of the investigation. According to the reports, the law enforcement agency sought clarification regarding remuneration from the films.

Read Also: What Are The 24 Cuts Made In Empuraan?

Netizens claim the recent measures towards the film’s producers and makers are targeted to stifle free speech, threatening adverse consequences.