Chennai: Enforcement Directorate (ED) will continue to interrogate Gokulam Gopalan, the producer of the controversial Malayalam film ‘L2: Emapuran’ for the second day on Saturday.
The ED launched its raid on 4 April, targeting Gopalan and several places associated with his business empire.
These included the headquarters of Gokulam Chit Funds and Finance in Kodambakkam, Chennai; Gopalan’s residence in Neelkarai; And additional campus in Coimbatore and Kozhikode, Kerala.
Gopalan, who was in Kozhikode at that time, was called to Chennai for questioning.
He was questioned in his Chennai office at Saturday’s wee.
Sources within the ED confirmed that further inquiries were scheduled for today.
The ongoing investigation has been allegedly linked to the production of Imapuran, a film that has strongly criticized right -wing groups on its depiction of central investigative agencies (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and ED on its depiction of central investigative agencies.
The Kochi unit of the ED is leading the operation, with the support of its Chennai counterpart.
The investigation focuses on the alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), including transactions with some NRI and unauthorized financial activities.
The agency is allegedly reviewing several complaints of cheating against Gokulum’s company for possible violations under the prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
There are various interests in the Gokulam Group, Chit Fund, Finance, Film Production and Games led by Gopalan.
Group is under 2023 under the ED scanner. Gopalan has faced several rounds of interrogation before himself.
ED’s action has drawn political reactions.
CPI (M) Kerala leader and Democratic Front convenor TP Ramakrishnan alleged that the raids were politically motivated.
Speaking in Madurai during the CPI (M) Party Congress, he called the ED’s move to an act of “political vendetta”, linked directly to the controversial content of Impuran.
The film directed by actor-film-producer Prithviraj Sukumaran was released on March 28 and initially a strong box office opening was recorded. However, Baikalash chased rapidly.
The RSS-Mouthpiece ‘Organizer’ published a horror criticism, accusing the film of spreading misinformation about the riots of Gujarat and spreading the national agencies maliciously.
In response to the uproar, the film’s makers contacted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to voluntarily re -edit the film.
The film’s lead actor Mohanlal also released a public apology through Facebook.
Mohanlal wrote, “I think some socio-political topics in Lucifer Franchise’s sequel Imapuran have created a mental crisis among the audience.”
“As an artist, I have the responsibility to ensure that any of my films do not promote hatred against any political, ideological or religious group. We, Emperan team, regret the crisis with honesty and have decided to remove objectionable materials.”
Despite editing and forgiveness, criticism of right -wing leaders continues.
BJP Kerala President and former Union Minister Rajiv Chandrashekhar publicly condemned the film, saying he would not see it because of “deformation of facts”.
RSS leaders J. Nandkumar and A. Jayakumar also gave his rejection online voice, and many RSS-based digital platforms in Kerala have increased the backlash.
As the ED intensifies its investigation, Emapuran stays at the center of a growing political and legal storm, highlighting the uncomfortable intersection of cinema, politics and enforcement in India.
