
The Income Tax Department conducted raids on the properties of prominent Telugu filmmaker Sukumar and producer Dil Raju this week, sparking speculation about alleged financial irregularities.
On Wednesday, January 22, IT officials raided Sukumar’s residence and office in Hyderabad. According to Sakshi Post, the raids began early in the morning and continued for several hours. Sukumar, who was at the Hyderabad airport at the time, was escorted back to his residence by IT officials to facilitate the investigation. No official statement has been issued yet regarding the purpose or findings of the raid.
The raid comes as Sukumar basks in the success of his latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rule. Starring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, the film has grossed over ₹1,500 crore worldwide.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, January 21, IT officials also raided the properties of producer Dil Raju, whose real name is Velamakucha Venkata Ramana Reddy. Known for his contributions to Telugu cinema, Dil Raju has financed notable films, including his latest production Game Changer starring Ram Charan.
Officials suspect tax evasion and are reportedly scrutinizing financial records to investigate alleged discrepancies and unaccounted income.Dil Raju, a two-time National Film Award winner, is a celebrated figure in Indian cinema. He owns Sri Venkateswara Creations and has contributed to Tamil and Hindi films as well.