Ahead of "Puli" release, IT raids Actor Vijay and others

Income Tax sleuths today carried out searches at 32 locations in three states, including at the residences and offices of popular Tamil actor Vijay, actresses Nayanthara and Samantha, ahead of the release of his mega budget film "Puli" tomorrow.
"The raids started at 7 am. Several teams are jointly conducting (them) at various locations," I T officials said.
Those who came under the I-T search ambit included the producers of the film, actresses Nayanthara and Samantha across 32 locations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Hyderabad, they said.
The multi-starrer film, also featuring Sridevi and Shruti Hassan, is all set to hit the screens tomorrow. Industry sources said that 'Puli' was believed to be the costliest movie in actor Vijay's near two decade career.

Officials were tightlipped and did not divulge details on the raid.
In Kerala, searches were being carried out at two residential premises of Nayanthara, a top-paid star of Tamil cinema.
Searches were being conducted at her residences in Kochi and Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, according to Income Tax officials.