The Income Tax (IT) Department conducted a raid on Manjummel Boys actor-producer Soubin Shahir’s office in Kochi on Thursday. The investigation, led by officials from the IT Department’s Kochi unit, focused on financial transactions carried out by Parava Films, the production company owned by Soubin. In addition to the Parava Films office, inspections are also being conducted at the office of the film's distribution company Dream Big Films in Pulleppady, Kochi.
The IT Department’s move follows an earlier probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had launched an investigation into alleged money laundering by Parava Films. The ED’s inquiry, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stemmed from suspicions of financial irregularities, including the use of black money and inflated box office collection figures in the Malayalam film industry.
In June, the ED questioned Soubin, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony in connection with the case. The investigation had been initiated after allegations surfaced regarding profit-sharing disputes in Manjummel Boys, a film produced by Parava Films. The complainant, Siraj Valiyathara Hameed, claimed that despite a significant financial contribution, he was denied his promised 40% share of the profits.
Manjummel Boys, written and directed by Chidambaram, was officially declared a blockbuster, with its makers claiming a box office collection exceeding Rs 200 crore. However, the ED suspected discrepancies in these figures and alleged that the inflated numbers were part of a money laundering scheme.
The ongoing IT raid aims to scrutinise the financial records of Parava Films and associated entities. Reportedly, the department is also investigating complaints of tax evasion. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
