The Income Tax Department carried out searches on Tuesday at multiple locations linked to renowned Telugu filmmaker Dil Raju, formally known as Velamkucha Venkata Ramana Reddy, over allegations of tax evasion. The raids spanned eight locations, including properties owned by Dil Raju’s family members and prominent individuals in the film industry.
According to official sources, the IT Department’s investigation also targeted the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, as well as the offices of Mythri Movie Makers. Authorities stated that the searches were prompted by suspicions of undisclosed income and alleged tax evasion.
Dil Raju, a leading figure in the Telugu film industry and chairman of the Telangana Film Federation Development Corporation, resides in Ujas Villas, Jubilee Hills. His residence and other properties were among the key locations scrutinized during the operation.
IT officials reportedly inspected bank lockers and requested financial documents from Raju’s wife, Tejaswini. Addressing the situation, she described the raids as part of a routine investigation related to the film industry. “The officials requested bank details, and we cooperated fully. Lockers were opened and inspected as part of the process,” Tejaswini clarified.
The investigation extended to other industry figures and production houses. Mythri Movie Makers, known for producing blockbuster films, was a focal point of the raids. Dil Raju’s production house, Sri Venkateswara Creations, has been behind several major Telugu films, including the recent Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer.
While Game Changer performed well, another of Dil Raju’s recent productions, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, was the only project to achieve significant box-office success among his latest ventures.
As of now, the Income Tax Department has not released detailed findings from the raids. The public and the film fraternity await Dil Raju’s official statement on the matter. The searches have sparked discussions about financial transparency within the Telugu film industry.
The IT Department’s actions highlight the growing scrutiny on prominent individuals in the entertainment sector, as authorities aim to ensure compliance with tax regulations. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.