NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh notice to industrialist Gokulam Gopalan, producer of Malayalam film ‘Empuraan‘, to appear before it on April 22 following a six-hour questioning session on Monday regarding potential FEMA rule violations.
Additionally, the Income Tax Department has separately issued a notice to another producer, Antony Perumbavoor, seeking clarification on financial transactions related to his previous films.
The ED is currently examining Gopalan’s statements and documents provided during the questioning. Initial findings suggest FEMA rule violations, and the agency is investigating if there were violations of larger amounts.
Gopalan has been given the option to appear for questioning either in person or through a representative on April 22.
The Income Tax notice to Antony Perumbavoor concerns financial transactions related to his previously produced films ‘Lucifer’ and ‘Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea’. According to department sources, this notice follows earlier raids conducted in 2022.

The Income Tax authorities have clarified that the current proceedings are not connected to the recently released film ‘Empuraan’, which has faced controversy.
In 2022, the Income Tax Department conducted raids on five production companies in Kerala, including Aashirvad Cinemas, allegedly owned by Antony Perumbavoor. The department examined financial transactions of these companies from 2019 to 2022 during initial proceedings.
‘Empuraan’ has recently undergone voluntary edits following public backlash. The film has received support from Kerala’s ruling Left parties and the Opposition United Democratic Front led by Congress, while Sangh Parivar organizations have criticized it for alleged “anti-national” content.
Several BJP leaders, including State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, have publicly declared their intention not to watch the film.