The Income Tax Department has issued a fresh notice to Malayalam film producer Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas banner, seeking detailed clarification regarding financial transactions linked to Lucifer and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, both headlined by veteran actor Mohanlal. The notice specifically addresses overseas distribution rights and an alleged Rs 2.5 crore payment made to Mohanlal in Dubai. Officials insist that this move is a continuation of the 2022 investigation and is not connected to the current controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan, the second instalment in the Lucifer trilogy.

Actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran, who helmed L2: Empuraan and co-produced several recent films, has also received a notice. The department has sought explanations concerning his income declarations for Kaduva, Gold and Jana Gana Mana (all released in 2022). While Prithviraj reportedly did not draw an acting fee for these films, he earned an estimated Rs 40 crore as a co-producer. He has been instructed to respond to the notice by April 29.

Although officials have described both notices as standard procedure arising from earlier assessments and raids, their timing has sparked public speculation. Many social media users view the developments as retaliatory, citing the backlash faced against L2: Empuraan from right-wing groups over its depiction of Hindutva elements. The film later underwent re-censorship, resulting in 24 voluntarily implemented cuts and a change to the antagonist’s name from Bhajrangi to Baldev. Mohanlal also issued a statement expressing regret for any unintended offence, stating that the film was never intended to provoke religious or political sentiments.

Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) confirmed that it conducted search operations on April 4 and 5 under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, at premises linked to the film's co-producer Gokulam Gopalan's firm Sree Gokulam Chits and Finance Co Pvt Ltd. The raids, carried out in Kozhikode and Chennai, led to the seizure of Rs 1.5 crore in cash and several incriminating documents.

Despite the ongoing legal scrutiny and political uproar, L2: Empuraan has emerged as a box office juggernaut since its release on March 27, becoming the highest-grossing film in Malayalam cinema history, surpassing Manjummel Boys and being declared “the new industry benchmark” by its makers.