Malayalam Cinematic Icon’s Mother Stands Ground Amid I-T Scrutiny: ‘Not Afraid of Investigation’

Malayalam Actor-Filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran Faces I-T Notice Amid Empuraan Controversy

Renowned Malayalam actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran is currently in the midst of a storm, facing an Income Tax (I-T) notice over discrepancies in his tax filings. This is not the only issue he is dealing with, however, as Empuraan, in which he stars and co-produced, has been at the center of a raging controversy over its depiction of sensitive themes. Amidst all this, Prithviraj is now on the radar of the Indian income tax authorities.

According to reports, an I-T notice was served to Prithviraj on March 29, demanding details of the remuneration he received for his roles in three films he acted in during 2022 – Jana Gana Mana, Gold, and Kaduva. These films were jointly produced by Prithviraj’s wife, Supriya Menon, and Listin Stephen under the banners of Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frames, respectively. Prithviraj is expected to provide the required information by April 29.

As reported earlier, the income tax department raided Prithviraj’s house and office in 2022 as part of an investigation into alleged discrepancies in his tax filings. This investigation was reportedly part of a broader probe into the Malayalam film industry, with officials conducting raids at various residences and offices of prominent filmmakers such as Antony Perumbavoor, Anto Joseph, and Listin Stephen in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Empuraan has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The blockbuster actioner, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been at the center of controversy due to scenes depicting the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. The film has faced opposition from right-wing groups, who have taken issue with the movie’s content. However, Prithviraj’s mother, the legendary actress Mallika Sukumaran, has backed her son, stating, “My son has done nothing wrong. We are not afraid of any investigation.” She made these comments in an interview with Mathrubhumi News, emphasizing that Prithviraj should not be targeted for his work.

Despite the controversy surrounding Empuraan, the film has become the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever, earning a massive Rs 241.65 crore worldwide. This success has dethroned Manjummel Boys, a survival thriller that collected around Rs 240.5 crore. Empuraan is the second installment in a planned trilogy that started with Prithviraj’s directorial debut, Lucifer, in 2019.

Empuraan also stars Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Abhimanyu Singh, Tovino Thomas, Andrea Tivadar, Jerome Flynn, and Indrajith Sukumaran in key roles. As the film industry grapples with these scandals and investigations, the attention on Prithviraj Sukumaran is expected to continue in the days to come.

Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithviraj-mother-mallika-reacts-to-son-facing-it-scrutiny-9927894/
Category : Entertainment,Malayalam
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Publish Date: 2025-04-06 13:16:00