IT searches against producer Madhu Manthena in connection with director Anurag Kashyap

Hyderabad:As part of the extensive investigation into the alleged tax discrepancies against Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap, the sleuths of Income Tax carried out searches in Hyderabad against producer and businessman Madhu Manthena.

The Mumbai unit of IT searched the residence and office premises of Madhu Manthena's family in the city on the 4th and 5th of March, 2021. The action is part of the raids on the homes and offices of actress Taapsee Pannu and Kashyap as well as his partners, who launched the now-dissolved production house Phantom Films.

According to the records, Madhu holds directorship in 29 companies, engaged in entertainment, trade, Information Technology and more. He co-produced a couple of Telugu and Hindi movies like Udta Punjab, Ghajini , Rakthacharitra (1 & 2) and more. The man also holds directorship in RGV Film company private limited, Big Bang media private limited, Home entertainment, Cinergy production, Friday entertainment ventures.

The searches against Madhu are in connection with Maharashtra based 'KwanSecurity private limited' where he is one of the directors. It is to note that Madhu was one of the main producers and distributors in now dissolved Phantom films co-owned by Anurag Kashyap.

Phantom Films Private Limited based in Mumbai that pull down its shutters in 2018 was represented by four directors - Anurag Kashyap, ShibasishTejendra Nath Sarkar, Vikramaditya Sunil Motwane and Sunil MulchandMenghrajani. Besides Phantom films,director Anurag Kashyap holds directorship in Anurag Kashyap films and LFPAKMedia works private limited.

The IT raids against director Anurag Kashyap and actress Taapsee Pannu has created a political storm with the BJP being called out to being vindictive. However refuting this allegation Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out that the film maker was raided in 2013 as well, during the Congress ruled government.