Chennai’s film industry was rocked on Friday morning as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a surprise raid at multiple properties belonging to Akash Baskaran, a leading Tamil film producer and director of Dawn Pictures. The action is part of a wider probe into a ₹1000 crore scam involving alleged financial misconduct tied to TASMAC, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, which controls liquor sales in the state.
The ED, backed by CRPF personnel, raided Baskaran’s residence and office premises in Chennai, seizing electronic devices, financial documents, and confidential records. The raids mark a critical development in the ongoing investigation into one of the state’s biggest corruption scandals involving alleged money laundering through the state’s liquor distribution system.
What Sparked the ED Action Against Akash Baskaran?
Sources indicate that Baskaran’s name surfaced in the preliminary findings of a money laundering case where irregularities in TASMAC tenders and revenue flow were uncovered. Authorities suspect that a portion of the embezzled funds was possibly funneled into the entertainment sector through illegitimate channels, including film production houses.
Akash Baskaran, known for producing blockbuster films with Kollywood stars like Dhanush, Simbu, and Sivakarthikeyan, is now facing serious questions about the financial sources behind his production ventures. His company, Dawn Pictures, is now at the center of scrutiny for its potential links to tainted funds.
TASMAC Scam: A ₹1000 Crore Web of Corruption
The scam under investigation involves massive financial fraud in TASMAC’s procurement and distribution operations, allegedly carried out through shell companies and manipulated tenders. Several TASMAC officials are already under the scanner, and the ED’s latest action suggests that the money trail may extend into the Tamil film industry.
The Madras High Court has been actively monitoring the case, following a petition alleging large-scale misuse of government contracts and illegal monetary flows that may have aided money laundering schemes across various industries.
Kollywood in Crisis: Film Industry Faces Tough Questions
With one of its major producers now under ED investigation, Kollywood’s financial transparency is under fire. Industry insiders are concerned that the spotlight may soon turn toward other production houses if evidence continues to link entertainment funding with state-level corruption.
While Akash Baskaran has not issued a public statement, ED officials confirmed that the seized documents are being examined for evidence of tax evasion, benami transactions, and money laundering.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
The ED is expected to summon multiple individuals, including industry collaborators and TASMAC insiders, for interrogation. Forensic audits of the seized digital and financial records are underway, and arrests may follow if solid evidence of criminal activity is uncovered.
This case could potentially become a landmark in exposing the nexus between politics, liquor trade, and the Tamil film industry.
From red carpets to criminal probes, Akash Baskaran’s journey has taken a dramatic turn. As the ED deepens its investigation into the ₹1000 crore TASMAC scam, the boundaries between cinema and corruption are becoming alarmingly blurred. The coming weeks will determine whether this is just the beginning of a larger storm for Kollywood.
