ALAPPUZHA: A raid in theaters in Alappuzha district by Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB) found irregularities in ticket sales where the block buster ‘Pulimurugan’ was exhibited for more than 80 days. Reportedly the shows had run house-full in these theatres on all the days.
The VACB teams conducted raids at Pankaj theatre in Alappuzha and Prathibha which exhibited Pulimurugan and Vallakalil Cini Complex in Mavelikkara, the two main releasing stations in the district.
“The preliminary investigation revealed a large scale tax evasion at Pankaj. There is no proper record of daily collection report (DCR) and as per the records available, the film was house-full only for the first ten days. Later, till Thursday, the occupancy was limited from 75 to 80 percent. The exact figure of misappropriation could be calculated only after the scrutiny of the DCR copy from the distributor,” said VACB circle inspector Hari Vidhyadharan.
Another team of VACB led by circle inspector Biju V Nair conducted a raid at Prathibha. “The DCR shows the sale of tickets was between 40 to 50 percent. However, Pulimurugan had run there for more than 84 days in full-house. The DCR was proper at Vallakalil Cini Complex,” said the officer.