I-T raids at houses of actors Vijay, Samantha, Nayanthara

Income tax officials on Wednesday conducted searches at the residences and offices of southern actors Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Nayanthara following reports that some investment made in a film was unaccounted for, official sources said.

According to the sources, 32 places were raided by the authorities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Hyderabad.

The searches were conducted at Nayanthara's home in Kochi as well as her ancestral home in Thiruvalla in central Kerala, besides in Chennai.

According to income tax department sources, the actress cooperated during the raid and she was present at her residence in Kochi.

The reason for the raids, according to the sources, was understating of her known sources of income.

The houses, offices and other properties of the three leading actors were searched simultaneously by income tax officials.

They also raided the houses of the producers of Vijay's forthcoming Tamil film "Puli", which releases on Thursday.

"The raids were conducted following reports that some investment made in 'Puli' was unaccounted for," a source told IANS.

"Puli", a big-budget fantasy drama, is believed to be the most expensive film in the Vijay's career.