The Tamil film industry was thrown into turbulence as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a high-profile investigation into Akash Baskaran, a well-known Kollywood film producer. The probe is tied to an alleged ₹1000 crore scam involving TASMAC, Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor distribution agency. Multiple raids were carried out at his Chennai residence and office, marking a dramatic twist from red carpets to regulatory scrutiny.
Akash Baskaran, who heads Dawn Pictures, has worked with some of Tamil cinema’s top stars, including Dhanush, Simbu, and Sivakarthikeyan. Now, with ED tightening its grip on financial irregularities, his name has emerged in connection with suspected money laundering activities involving diverted funds from TASMAC contracts.
Film Producer Under Financial Scanner
According to officials, Baskaran’s involvement came to light during an extensive audit of TASMAC’s procurement and distribution network. The ED believes that a portion of the illicit funds may have been routed into the entertainment industry under the guise of film financing, production investments, and marketing expenses.
During the early morning raids, ED teams—backed by CRPF personnel—confiscated laptops, financial ledgers, mobile phones, and suspicious contract files from multiple premises linked to the producer.
TASMAC Scam: A Deepening Corruption Trail
TASMAC, which handles alcohol retail across Tamil Nadu, has long faced allegations of tender manipulation, revenue leaks, and kickbacks. The latest findings point to a complex web of shell companies and fake vendors used to siphon off funds, with possible laundering routes traced to real estate and cinema sectors.
The Madras High Court had earlier expressed concern over irregularities in TASMAC operations, and the ED’s probe is now zeroing in on beneficiaries who may have used the system to clean illicit earnings.
Kollywood’s Funding Model Under Scrutiny
This case has put a spotlight on Kollywood’s financing ecosystem. With Akash Baskaran as a focal point, the ED is expected to widen its investigation to uncover whether other production houses or distributors were used as fronts for laundering black money.
Industry insiders are reportedly shaken, as the case could expose deep-rooted practices involving undisclosed investors, inflated budgets, and suspicious overseas transfers.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
The ED is preparing to summon key individuals associated with Dawn Pictures and TASMAC. Forensic teams are analyzing the seized devices for transactional data, encrypted communications, and connections to overseas accounts. If the money trail confirms criminal activity, arrests and asset seizures could follow.
Meanwhile, Akash Baskaran has not issued an official statement, and his legal team is believed to be reviewing the case developments closely.
The glamour of Kollywood has collided with serious allegations of financial misconduct. With Akash Baskaran now under ED investigation in the ₹1000 crore TASMAC scam, the lines between entertainment and corruption are blurring. As the probe unfolds, Tamil Nadu’s liquor and film industries may face one of their biggest credibility crises yet.