I-T sleuths take actor Vijay to Chennai for questioning

The Income Tax Department (I-T Department), in an unexpected move, has approached actor Vijay as part of their investigation into the use of unaccounted money in his recent film Bigil on Wednesday (February 5).

I-T sleuths turned up at the shooting location of his upcoming film Master at the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC)’s second tunnel. The shooting of the Lokesh Kanagaraj movie had to be halted mid-way, sources said.

Vijay was being taken to Chennai for further questioning, sources said. Sources said I-T sleuths had not ‘taken Vijay into custody’ but was only accompanying him to Chennai. It was known that actor Vijay was travelling on his vehicle.

I-T sleuths were simultaneously raiding 20 locations related to the AGS Group, which includes AGS Cinemas and AGS Entertainment, which produced the movie Bigil in 2019. The officials also searched the premises of film financier Anbu Cheliyan in Madurai.

Also read | ₹24 crore seized from the residence of Vijay-starrer Bigil’s producer

Unconfirmed reports said I-T sleuths had also reached the residences and offices of certain prominent persons in the film industry.

Initially, Vijay was taken away from the shooting spot and questioned. The actor would be issued a summons and questioning was expected to continue at his ECR residence on Wednesday after he arrived in Chennai, The NewsMinute reported.

Reports claimed that the officials raised questions on his remuneration, box office collection and other income sources.

NDTV reported that the BJP in Tamil Nadu had opposed to the release of Vijay’s 2017 film, Mersal, because it featured dialogues critical of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation.

Vijay has been known to be a tax-compliant actor.