'Liger' movie under scanner: Actor Vijay Devarakonda questioned by ED regarding funding

Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Vijay Devarakonda appears before the Enforcement Directorate office in Hyderabad, in connection with the ongoing investigation related to the funding of his latest movie 'Liger' which flopped miserably at the box office.

Nearly three months after the release of the movie Liger, Its director and co-producer Puri Jagannadh and actress turned co-producer Charmi Kaur were recently summoned by the ED unit in Hyderabad in connection to the funding.

The Federal agency took up a probe into the alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation, following a complaint filed by Bakka Judson. The congress leader Judson alleged Liger's investments came via 'dubious routes'. Allegation of many politicians investing money as a ghost producer of Liger. "This was the easiest way of converting black money into white and escaping tax payment. In addition many foreign companies invested through fraudulent means " Judson said in his complaint.

The movie which was released in 5 languages, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cost the producers a whopping Rs 125 crores however miserably failed to even retrieve its investment, leaving alone profits. Earlier, ED questioned Puri Jagannadh and actress turned co-producer Charmi Kaur on investments from foreign countries allegedly in violation of FEMA.

It is pertinent to note that the movie had a cameo of American former professional boxer Mike Tyson and an expensive technical crew. Puri and Charmie were questioned about transactions from foreign countries which led as investments into the movie and also regarding the payment for Mike Tyson. Alister producer Karan Johar is also one of the co-producers of Liger.