The Income Tax department on Wednesday (March 3) carried out a raid at noted film Director Anurag Kashyap, actor Taapsee Pannu and filmmaker Vikas Bahl’s properties. The three are accused of alleged tax evasion, informed a source close to the development told News18. The Manmarziya actress and director duo are now being questioned by income tax officials in Pune.
It is being reported by the same source that the searches took place at 30 locations in Mumbai and Pune. Apart from Taapsee Pannu and Anurag Kashyap’s properties, premises linked to a talent agency as well as Phantom Films, which was co-promoted by Kashyap, producers Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena was also searched by the officials. Some celebrity and talent management company including KWAN are also being raided.
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The raid is part of a tax evasion probe against Phantom Films, which was dissolved in 2018. Sources added that some inter-linked transactions between these entities are under the scanner of the department and the raids are intended to accumulate more evidence to further probe tax evasion allegations. Exceed Entertainment, which has been managing Saif Ali Khan for several years and its promoters are also being searched.
Pannu and Kashyap have been very vocal critics of the government. While Anurag is often seen taking a jibe at the current political situation, Taapsee drew the limelight when she slammed several Bollywood actors for supporting the government and tweeting in solidarity with the government after Rihanna’s Farmers Protest’ tweet.
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“If one tweet rattles your unity, one joke rattles your faith or one show rattles your religious belief, then it’s you who has to work on strengthening your value system not become propaganda teachers for others,” the actress said in her tweet.
Workwise, the Manmarziyaan duo will be reuniting for Dobaaraa. The film is being jointly produced by Ekta Kapoor and Sunir Khetarpal. Apart from this, the actress has Haseen Dillruba, Rashmi Rocket, Looop Lapeta in her kitty.
