Popular film producer Antony Perumbavoor has been put under the scanner of the Income Tax Department, which has issued him a legal notice in relation to suspected financial irregularities involving his previous high-budget Malayalam films Lucifer (2019) and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021). As per reports by Hindustan Times, a source revealed that, the notice is part of the department’s ongoing probe based on raids conducted in 2022. The ministry is looking to get clarification over some transactions reportedly done during production and post-production of these movies.
Notice Not Connected To L2: Empuraan
Although the notice’s timing comes around the same time as L2: Empuraan, which is the sequel to Lucifer that has been widely anticipated, authorities have clearly maintained that the proceedings currently underway are not related to the new film. “This notice is solely a continuation of our previous investigations. The new film does not have anything to do with the legal process ongoing,” revealed a department source. The explanation comes as speculation grows that the legal action could be politically or publicly driven, considering the focus now on L2: Empuraan.
Antony Perumbavoor Yet To Respond
As of now, Antony Perumbavoor has not made any official statement regarding the notice. The producer, who is also a close aide of superstar Mohanlal, has been instrumental in backing some of the most ambitious projects in the Malayalam film industry through his banner Aashirvad Cinemas.
Whether or not these developments will affect the promotional activities or future projects under the Aashirvad banner remains to be seen.
L2: Empuraan
Recently, the revised version of Empuraan was released which had undergone 24 cuts instead of 17. The authorities have released the updated censor certificate confirming these edits. The filmmakers have changed the main villain’s name from Balraj Bajrangi to ‘Baldev.’ They have also omitted Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s name from the thank-you card, as he had asked the crew to remove it.
