The raids have attracted more attention due to the controversy surrounding the Mohanlal starrer, which has faced protests from right-wing organizations.
Published Apr 04, 2025 | 11:43 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 04, 2025 | 11:43 AM
Enforcement Directorate.
Synopsis: Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at the offices of businessman and Empuraan producer Gokulam Gopalan in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, related to Foreign Exchange Management Act violations. Gopalan had previously been questioned in connection with the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank fraud case. Meanwhile, the film faces controversy over its portrayal of the 2002 Godhra riots, leading to re-edits after protests.
A team from the Enforcement Directorate is learnt to be carrying out a raid at businessman and Empuraan producer Gokulam Gopalan’s offices.
While the ED is yet to share the details of the raids, various reports noted that the raids are in progress at his offices in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The raids have attracted more attention due to the controversy surrounding the Mohanlal starrer, which has faced protests from right-wing organizations.
However, it’s learnt that the raid is in connection with complaints of Foreign Exchange Management Act violations.
Gokulam Gopalan was on ED’s radar for some time now as they had questioned him multiple times including in connection with the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank fraud case as the investigation agency suspects that some of the accused in the case, who were booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, had made cash deposits with the financial institution run by him.
The film has drawn attention for its portrayal of events resembling the 2002 Godhra riots, in which hundreds from the Muslim community were killed in Gujarat.
Right-wing groups, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accused the film of vilifying Hindu nationalist organisations. Organiser, the RSS-affiliated publication, published articles alleging that the film depicted Hindus as aggressors during the riots.
The backlash prompted Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who plays the lead role, to issue a statement addressing the concerns. In a Facebook post, he expressed ‘regret’ over the controversy.
Following this, the makers have re-edited the film, with cuts to 24 scenes and trimmed by two minutes and eight seconds.
However, producer Antony Perumbavoor, speaking to the media on Wednesday, 2 April, said the changes were made voluntarily and not under external pressure.
He said the team prioritises viewer sentiments and does not wish to hurt anyone’s feelings.
The makers of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s directorial recently announced that the film has collected over ₹200 crore worldwide.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
