The Income Tax Department conducted raids on Tuesday at the offices and residences of prominent Telugu film producers Dil Raju, Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili, and Naveen Yerneni in Hyderabad. These producers are known for backing major films like Pushpa 2: The Rule, Game Changer, and Sankranthiki Vasthunam.
Raids Across Multiple Locations
Sources revealed that the raids were conducted at eight locations across Hyderabad, including the producers’ homes, offices, and an online portal. The producers, prominent figures in the Telugu film industry, have been under scrutiny for suspected tax evasion.
Dil Raju, whose real name is Velamkucha Venkata Ramana Reddy, is a well-known producer and distributor in the Telugu industry. He owns Sri Venkateswara Creations and was recently appointed as the chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation. Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni, who co-own Mythri Movie Makers, are also leading producers in the industry.
Massive Budgets and Blockbuster Earnings
The raids come on the heels of the release of several high-budget films produced by the trio. Pushpa 2: The Rule, featuring Allu Arjun, has been a massive success, earning ₹1,228.25 crore net in India and ₹1,734.65 crore worldwide since its release on December 5. Similarly, Dil Raju’s Game Changer, starring Ram Charan, earned ₹125.4 crore net in India and ₹179.55 crore globally since its release on January 10.
The Producers’ Legacy
Dil Raju has been a pivotal figure in the Telugu film industry, with hits like Dil, Arya, and Bommarillu in the early 2000s. In recent years, he has produced films such as Varisu, Shaakunthalam, and The Family Star. His latest release, Sankranthiki Vasthunam, hit theaters in January 2025.
Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni’s Mythri Movie Makers have also had a significant impact, starting with Srimanthudu in 2015 and Janatha Garage in 2016. The duo has backed several hits, including Rangasthalam and Dear Comrade, and is currently working on films like Good Bad Ugly starring Ajith Kumar, Jaat starring Sunny Deol, Ustaad Bhagat Singh with Pawan Kalyan, and Jai Hanuman with Rishab Shetty.
Ongoing Investigation
The IT department has not yet released an official statement regarding the raids or the findings. However, the producers are expected to cooperate with the investigation as authorities examine financial records related to their recent productions.
The film industry and fans alike are watching closely as developments unfold in this high-profile case.
Sources By Agencies
