Why has Telugu star Mahesh Babu been summoned by Enforcement Directorate?

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned popular actor Mahesh Babu to appear before them on April 27 in connection with the ongoing Sai Surya Developers and Surana Group money laundering investigation. According to reports, the companies are involved in money laundering.

Sources from ED had said that Mahesh Babu, who is a brand ambassador for the real estate project, was given an amount worth Rs 5.9 crore from Sai Surya Ventures for an endorsement deal. The ED alleges that the amount that was collected from customers by the companies was originally obtained through fraudulent means.

The investigation had started after Telangana police filed FIRs against prominent figures which included Narendra Surana, director of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd., and K Sathish Chandra Gupta, the owner of Sai Surya Developers.

The summons is part of a bigger investigation into a real estate scam, and now Mahesh Babu's role is also being investigated. According to reports, Mahesh Babu's promotion of Sai Surya projects led many people to invest, unaware of the alleged fraud. While the actor may not have been directly involved, the ED is looking into the money that was given to him by the developers. The actor will appear before the ED on April 27.

According to a report in TOI, the investigation involves two Hyderabad real estate companies - Sai Surya Developers and Surana Group - who have been accused of cheating buyers. Mahesh Babu was allegedly paid Rs 5.9 crore for endorsing the projects of Sai Surya Developers. While Rs 3.4 crore was paid by cheque and Rs 2.5 crore was sent to him as cash.

On the work front, Mahesh Babu will begin the third schedule of shooting for his forthcoming film SSMB29 which has been directed by SS Rajamouli. As reports suggest, in the new schedule, Mahesh Babu will shoot a high-octane action sequence.

The ship sequence is reportedly part of a huge chase scene in the upcoming film. The episode on a ship and boat will be shot on a massive scale in a green-mat studio in Hyderabad. This will be upgraded to a different level by using Vfx.

Rajamouli - as reports mention - will use cinematic creature effects, animatronics, static and dynamic scenic showreel for the film. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is also in Hyderabad, and this suggests that she would also be part of the episode. Priyanka will perform high octane, action-oriented scenes in the film. Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra are currently being prepped to film action sequences for the film.