Bengaluru: Entire Sandalwood fraternity was out for a shock when the IT officials raided the residences of some of the top actors and producers on January 3, in Bengaluru.
The IT sleuths struck the residences of producer Rockline Venkatesh, actors Sudeep, Shivrajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar, Yash among others.
It is said that teams of five officials have struck at least 28 places and the operations will be carried on till Thursday late evening. With scores of IT sleuths pressed into duty, the highlight was that even IT officials were Goa was called in.
Experts say that the Kannada film industry has been promptly paying the taxes, but of late, the magnitude of filmmaking and the revenue generated has shot up, but the tax collection has not increased accordingly.
I-T raid is not personal but based on release of 3 mega budget films: Sudeep
As actor Kiccha Sudeep received the information about the Income Tax raid on his residence at J P Nagar, he has put a brake on his shooting schedule in Mysuru and has returned to Bengaluru.
Addressing the media outside his residence, he said, “I-T raid is not personal, but they are probing based on the mega budget movies of Sandalwood namely, ‘The Villain’, ‘KGF’ and ‘Nata Sarvabhouma’.”
Meanwhile, he also requested the television media not to “misinform” the public.
He said, “I’m sorry and don’t take it personally, as one of the regional television news channels has said that as my family members did not open the gate to the officials, they have jumped the compound wall and entered my home. Please do not broadcast such news.”
Yash returns from Mumbai, says he would co-operate with I-T officials
First thing in the morning, the I-T officials had raided actor Yash’s residence at Kathriguppe and also his office located at Hosakerehalli.
In the noon, the officials took Yash’s wife and actress Radhika Pandit’s father from her residence located at Gayatri Nagar for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Yash who was in Mumbai reached the Kempegowda International Airport at 4 PM in Bengaluru.
When the media persons asked him about the I-T raid and whether it was because of the success and the turnover of the movie ‘KGF’, Yash replied, “It is just 15 days since the release and no turnover can be expected so soon. As the movie is still being screened in many theatres, one must not speculate anything before the I-T officials finish their procedure.”
“I am new to this procedure of I-T raid and they have come to check the accounts for clarity on investment and returns. We’ll co-operate legally and I need to check with my auditor. I’ll be visiting my residence at first to assess the situation and then later, if required, I’ll also go to the Income Tax office,” he added.
