MUMBAI, Oct 8: The Income Tax Department conducted search operations at multiple premises linked to Prime Focus Ltd, the company headed by filmmaker and producer Namit Malhotra, just weeks before the scheduled release of the much-awaited epic Ramayana.
The searches began on October 7 and continued into Wednesday morning, according to reports. Apart from Prime Focus offices and studio facilities in Mumbai, premises associated with people linked to the company were also searched.
Reports said the tax authorities were examining certain foreign remittance transactions and overseas fund transfers. However, officials have not publicly disclosed the precise nature of the transactions under scrutiny or provided details of any findings from the searches.
The development has attracted considerable attention because Prime Focus is closely connected with one of the most ambitious upcoming productions in Indian cinema. Malhotra, who founded Prime Focus, is producing Ramayana under the Prime Focus Studios banner.
The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is scheduled to reach theatres on November 5, coinciding with the Diwali period. It stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.
The project has been planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic and has generated substantial interest because of its scale, cast and visual effects.
Prime Focus has developed a major presence in the global entertainment industry through visual effects, post-production and technology services. The company’s wider ecosystem includes DNEG, a visual-effects company that has worked on several internationally acclaimed productions.
DNEG’s work has included films such as Inception, Interstellar, Blade Runner 2049, First Man, Tenet and the Dune films. Its association with the Ramayana project has therefore added to expectations surrounding the movie’s visual presentation.
The tax searches come at a particularly important stage for the production. With the first part of Ramayana only weeks away from its theatrical debut, the film is entering a crucial phase of promotional activity.
The production has been described as one of the largest Indian film projects ever mounted. Reports have put its estimated budget at around Rs 4,000 crore, although the makers have not publicly confirmed all financial details.
Malhotra has previously spoken about his ambition to create an international-scale production while retaining the cultural and emotional foundation of the Indian epic.
The filmmaker has also emphasised the importance of advanced visual effects in bringing the world of Ramayana to the screen. The involvement of a company with Prime Focus’ global visual-effects capabilities is expected to play a major role in the film’s overall presentation.
The reported searches also had an immediate impact on Prime Focus’ market performance, with the company’s shares witnessing a significant decline during trading.
Prime Focus has grown considerably since Malhotra established the company in Mumbai in 1997. It subsequently expanded into international markets and became involved in numerous large-scale film and television productions.
The company has worked across several areas of the entertainment business, including visual effects, animation, post-production and technology services. Its international operations have made it an important player in the global production ecosystem.
For Ramayana, the company’s involvement is particularly significant because the film requires extensive visual effects to depict its mythological settings, characters, battles and large-scale environments.
The story is being presented as a two-part production, with the first instalment planned for Diwali 2026. The second part is expected to continue the narrative on a similarly large scale.
The film has already attracted international attention through promotional appearances and early glimpses of its production design and visual effects.
The casting of Kapoor, Pallavi and Yash has also contributed to the anticipation. Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram, Pallavi’s role as Sita and Yash’s interpretation of Ravana have been the subject of considerable discussion among movie audiences.
The project is expected to receive a major theatrical release in India as well as international markets, reflecting the makers’ intention to position the film as a global Indian production.
The Income Tax searches, however, have introduced an unexpected development in the run-up to the release.
There is currently no indication that the searches will affect the scheduled theatrical launch. The film’s production and release preparations are continuing, while the tax authorities’ examination remains a separate matter.
The investigation has nevertheless placed additional attention on the financial and corporate side of a production that has already generated enormous interest because of its reported scale.
For audiences, the focus remains on the eventual cinematic interpretation of the Ramayana and whether the production can meet expectations created by its extensive publicity.
As the November release approaches, the makers are expected to intensify promotional activities and provide more information about the film’s characters, music, visual effects and story.
The Prime Focus searches therefore come at a sensitive moment for one of India’s most closely watched upcoming films, although the full implications of the tax department’s action will become clearer only after further details emerge.