ED Raids Tamil Producer Akash Baskaran’s Chennai Home Amid Financial Probe

The Tamil film industry is reeling as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted a high-profile raid at the residence of popular film producer Akash Bhaskaran, in connection with the massive ₹1,000 crore TASMAC liquor scam.

Akash Bhaskaran, who has worked with top actors such as Dhanush, Simbu, and Sivakarthikeyan, is the founder of Town Pictures and a rising name in Kollywood. He has produced several major films, including Idli Kadai, STR 49, and Paraakshakti. He is also directing and producing Idiyam Murali, starring Atharvaa. Formerly an assistant to director Vignesh Shivan, Akash is the son of a well-known jeweller from Salem.

The ED raid comes after months of investigation into alleged financial irregularities in TASMAC’s liquor procurement process. Officials revealed earlier in March that over ₹1,000 crore in unaccounted money was generated by distilleries through inflated expenses and fake bottle-making invoices. The scam allegedly involved kickbacks to secure larger orders from TASMAC, Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor retailer.

Today’s search spanned over 10 locations in Chennai, including the residences of key TASMAC officials in Teynampet, T. Nagar, Sethupathi, and Choolaimedu. The ED has also targeted government contractors and the offices of SNJ Distilleries.

Akash Bhaskaran's links to prominent figures in politics and cinema have made this development all the more significant. His recent wedding was attended by several influential personalities, further raising speculation about the scope of the ED's inquiry.

As of now, the ED has not issued an official statement about what was seized during the raid. However, sources suggest that financial documents and digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats related to liquor procurement, have been recovered.

This operation marks a major escalation in the ED’s investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Tamil film fraternity is closely watching as the story unfolds, with many speculating about possible wider ramifications.