The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons to industrialist and film producer Gokulam Gopalan, asking him to appear before the agency on April 22. Gopalan is one of the producers of the high-profile Malayalam film Empuraan.
The summons comes just days after Gopalan was questioned by the ED for nearly six hours on Monday. During the session, the agency reportedly reviewed documents submitted by Gopalan and recorded his statement. Officials are currently examining whether there have been violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The ED has asked Gopalan to present himself in person or send an authorised representative on April 22.
Why has ED summoned Gokulam Gopalan?
According to ED sources, the current investigation began with a suspected FEMA violation. Now, the agency is probing whether these violations could be more widespread or involve larger sums.
In parallel, the Income Tax Department has also taken interest in financial dealings linked to the film’s producers.
Antony Perumbavoor, another producer of Empuraan, has also been served a notice by the Income Tax Department. The notice reportedly seeks clarification on financial transactions related to his previous films like Lucifer and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea.
The department clarified that this inquiry is part of follow-up action on raids conducted in 2022, and not directly related to the recently released Empuraan.
2022 IT raids on film industry
In 2022, IT raids were conducted on five major production companies in Kerala, including Aashirvad Cinemas—allegedly owned by Perumbavoor. Financial records from 2019 to 2022 were reviewed during those proceedings. The current notices form part of the ongoing investigation into those earlier findings.
Empuraan, a sequel to the blockbuster Lucifer, has stirred controversy in Kerala. The film underwent voluntary edits following backlash over alleged “anti-national” content.
While the ruling Left parties and the Opposition UDF have extended support to the filmmakers, several BJP leaders, including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, criticised the film and declared they would not watch it.
(With ANI inputs)