New Delhi: Vijay Deverakonda was questioned for nine hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad in connection with the money trail to his film ‘Liger’. As per ANI, the actor was questioned for more than nine hours. The actor was called in for answering questions related to the funding of ‘Liger’ which is said to have violated the FEMA ( Foreign Exchange Management Act).
As per ANI, after being questioned, Vijay Deverakonda said, “By getting popularity, there will be few troubles and side effects. It is an experience, it’s life. I did my duty when I was called, I came and answered the questions. They did not call me again: that being popular has its own troubles and side effects.”
Earlier this month, the film’s director Puri Jagannadh and actor-turned-producer Charmme Kaur were also grilled by the ED for the suspected violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
By getting popularity, there will be few troubles and side effects. It is an experience, it’s life. I did my duty when I was called, I came and answered the questions. They did not call me again: Actor Vijay Deverakonda
ED questioned Actor Vijay Devarakonda for more than 9 hours https://t.co/Os2EAm5iqP pic.twitter.com/RTBbHLpUxN
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2022
The ED officials were reported to have questioned the director and producer about the allegations that crores of rupees were invested into the making of the movie from foreign countries allegedly in violation of FEMA.
The ED took up the investigation after Congress leader Bakka Judson lodged a complaint about the investment into the movie through dubious routes.
Bakka Judson had complained that even politicians had invested money in the movie. He claimed that the investors found it the easiest way of turning their black money into white.
The investigating agency suspects that several companies had transferred funds to the accounts of the filmmakers. They were asked to provide details of those who had remitted the money and how the payments were made to foreign actors including Mike Tyson and technical crew.
‘Liger’, reportedly made on the budget of Rs 125 crore, bombed at the box office. A major portion of the film starring Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday was shot in Las Vegas and had a cameo by American boxer Mike Tyson.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Vijay Deverakonda will be next seen in ‘Kushi’, a romantic comedy film. It also stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu.