The raids reportedly started at the Vadapalani office of Vishal Film Factory at around 2pm and three officers from the GSTI were going through documents.
Tamil film actor Vishal. Image: News18 archives
The raids reportedly started at the Vadapalani office of Vishal Film Factory at around 2pm and three officers from the GSTI were going through documents.
The raids come a day after the actor accused BJP leader H Raja of advocating piracy by watching Vijay-starrer Mersal online, a charge rejected by latter.
Vishal, head of the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and general secretary of the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA), had also demanded an apology from Raja.
The spat between the two had escalated a controversy over the movie Mersal which kicked up a row with the BJP taking exception to references on GST in some scenes.
Actor Vijay’s fans have been reportedly circulating the contentious scenes through mobile phones. “I don’t have the patience to watch a two-and-a-half hour movie. This entire episode shows that whoever opposes the BJP are supporting Vijay, and this is expected,” Raja had said.
Hitting back, Vishal said: “Dear Mr H Raja, as a leader and prominent personality, you are advocating piracy and blatantly agreeing to it.” The actor also said he wondered “how a political leader like you could watch a pirated version of a film (online)” and added that it “sets a bad example”.
BJP leaders, including Raja, a national secretary in the party, state president Tamilisai Soundarajan and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, have been demanding that the “incorrect” references be deleted from the big-budget flick.
Vishal is reportedly shooting a movie out of Chennai, but sources said he would address a press conference after the raids are over. Sources added that auditors of Vishal’s production house have submitted relevant documents.
Source: News18