Actor and politician Vijay recently filed an appeal before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court against a single judge's recent ruling, which upheld a Rs 1.5 crore income tax penalty imposed on him. Vijay appeals against Madras HC's ruling Vijay filed the appeal before a Division Bench after single-judge Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy earlier dismissed Vijay’s petition, maintaining that the penalty order by the Income Tax Department was within the prescribed limitation period under the Income Tax Act. Before the High Court's single-judge, Vijay had confined his challenge exclusively to limitation. The TVK chief argued that the penalty order dated June 30, 2022, was time-barred under Section 275(1)(c). This prescribes a shorter six-month limitation period for “any other case.” The single judge had rejected Vijay’s contention and upheld the penalty order. The Court noted that the ITAT order was issued on December 22, 2021, and thus, the six-month period expired on June 30, 2022, the very date on which the penalty order was passed. It further concluded that the order was within limitation and found no infirmity warranting interference. Vijay has now challenged the single judge's decision before the Division Bench. Although the appeal was filed in March 2026, it has yet to be processed for listing. About the case The case arises from Vijay’s assessment for the financial year 2015–16 (assessment year 2016–17), which came after a search conducted by the Income Tax Department on September 30, 2015. During the search, Vijay admitted in a sworn statement that he received Rs 15 crore in cash as remuneration, in addition to Rs 16 crore through banking channels. This undisclosed income was subsequently included in his return. The assessment proceedings also reviewed an expenditure head titled “Release and Rasigar Mandram Expenses,” under which Vijay claimed Rs 2.92 crore. According to his representative, Rs 2 crore was paid directly by the film’s producer to fan club members across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while Rs 92.44 lakh was paid in cash by Vijay. The Assessing Officer did not allow the Rs 2 crore component for lack of proof and allowed only part of the cash expenditure. Upon appeal, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) granted the actor partial relief, while the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ultimately allowed 50% of the total expenditure. Additionally, penalty proceedings were separately initiated under Section 271AAB, which deals with penalties in search cases. The department also imposed a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore, which accounts for 10 per cent of the admitted undisclosed income of Rs 15 crore.
13 April,2026 05:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe internet is ablaze with rumours of an exciting new casting. Reports suggest that Shahid Kapoor might essay the role of the antagonist in Jr NTR’s upcoming film, tentatively titled Dragon. Dragon is being directed by KFG and Salaar filmmaker Prashanth Neel. While there has been no official confirmation yet, the speculation has caused massive excitement among Shahid's fans as this will mark the actor's debut in the South film industry. Shahid Kapoor to play antagonist in Dragon? An article by Pinkvilla quoted a Telugu Chitraalu report that stated that Shahid Kapoor is currently in talks with the makers of NTRNeel to join the film Dragon. Reportedly, he is being considered for the film after actor Tovino Thomas exited the project. However, an official confirmation is still awaited. The news of Shahid's casting has surfaced after Tovino Thomas announced that he has quit the film. While promoting his Malayalam film Pallichattambi in Hyderabad, Tovino addressed speculation about his involvement in Dragon and clarified his decision to step away from the film. “It is really hard to allocate dates, so I am not doing it," he said. He further explained the scheduling challenges that influenced his choice, highlighting differences in working styles across industries. “I don’t do multiple films at once. In Malayalam, we finish a film in one schedule. But in Telugu, a single project takes almost a year. I can give 3 months, not an entire year," he said. About Dragon Rukmini Vasanth is playing the female lead. The film reportedly also features Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor and Biju Menon in key roles. As per a synopsis, the film is an “action saga” with “emotionally charged incidents that take place over a periodic timeline. It takes place in "1969, in the area where the borders of China, Bhutan, and India's Golden Triangle meet.” As per reports, the next shoot schedule for Dragon is expected to begin soon. Other details about the film are still under wraps. Earlier today, Jr. NTR took to Instagram to share a shirtless picture of himself. In the image, the actor’s back is towards the camera. He is shown flaunting his chiselled back and beefed-up biceps as he posed for a picture at the gym. For the caption, he simply wrote: “Built. Not bought. NTRNeel kumarmannava ntrneelfilm.”
13 April,2026 05:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDays after Thalapathy Vijay's highly-awaited film Jana Nayagan was leaked online, actress-politician Kasthuri Shankar has admitted to watching leaked clips from the film. The leak has caused a furore amongst the industry, especially ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections, as Vijay is set to make his political debut through his newly-formed party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Actress Kasthuri Shankar admits she watched Jana Nayagan Actress Kasthuri Shankar admitted to watching leaked clips of Jana Nayagan and described the film as a "three-hour propaganda piece" for Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In a Cinema Express report, she was quoted as saying, "I have seen bits and pieces of the movie that people have forwarded to me through WhatsApp and other means. It's the talk of the town right now. I have also been learning new information about the movie, and I can tell you that if it is seen by the public, it is beneficial to the TVK, not BJP or the DMK. The parties that Vijay is blaming." She further questioned how the Central Board of Film Certification, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, and other agencies could allow the highest quality and uncensored version to be leaked. "I hear the film is in perfect quality and the entirety of the movie is available without any censored clips or modifications." Kasthuri Shankar accuses DMK of preventing the film's release Kasthuri also accused Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK government of deliberately preventing the film's release as the movie focuses on Tamil Nadu politics, contrasting it with the release of a DMK-aligned film - TN 2026 - on the same day. "It is clear that whoever leaked the movie wanted every word of their propaganda to get to the people. I accuse the state government to be behind the non-release of the film because they are directly affected. This movie is about Tamil Nadu politics and not about central leaders. Hence, the ruling party is stopping the movie from being seen by the public, especially on the day when their own propaganda movie got released." Moreover, Kasthuri said the film might be leaked by someone who is "sympathetic to Vijay's cause". "If this movie is seen by people, it will influence them and will in turn benefit TVK. Anything else that actor Vijay or his second-rung leaders come out and say is purely optics. They are just trying to distract people from the actual perpetrators," she said.
13 April,2026 04:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelugu superstar Allu Arjun's father, producer Allu Aravind, attended a promotional event of Mrunal Thakur and Adivi Sesh-starrer Dacoit held in Hyderabad. At the event, he expressed his desire for Mrunal to marry someone from the Telugu film industry. Allu Aravind asks Mrunal Thakur to marry a Telugu actor Speaking on the stage, Allu Aravind addressed Mrunal and said, 'I wish you should find a good boy here (Telugu film industry) and get married and settle down here. That is the only way we can tie you here. We want you here." Laughing, he continued, "I had blessed an actress like this before. That actress has now become a Telugu daughter-in-law." Allu Aravind says Mrunal Thakur should marry someone TFI and settleby u/Entire-Gain-6561 in tollywood An embarrassed and flustered Mrunal was seen covering her face with a dupatta, while her co-star Adivi Sesh was seen clapping. The actress he was referring to was Lavanya Tripathi, who is now happily married to Telugu actor Varun Tej. Nag Ashwin compares Mrunal Thakur to Madhubala The event was attended by several well-known people from the industry, including Kalki 2898 AD director Nag Ashwin. He bestowed the highest compliment on the actress, comparing her to legendary yesteryear actresses Madhubala and Smita Patil. The director also urged Mrunal to be cautious and choose better scripts following the success of Dacoit. Kalki director Nag Ashwin has an interesting advise for Mrunal Thakurby u/Glad-Ad5911 in BollyBlindsNGossip After praising her performance in Dacoit, Nag Ashwin said, "Mrunal, I think you are amazing. I am generally very protective of the stuff that you pick. Whenever you do something that's not great, I am like why is she doing that? She deserves to do much better stuff. And whenever there's a character that has that depth or sorrow or pain, I think you are like that era of Madhubala and Smita Patil, there are not many people like this. So please don't do random stuff and do good stuff." Visibly overwhelmed after hearing such praise, Mrunal mouthed "Thank you," bowed her head and folded her hands in gratitude.
13 April,2026 02:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThalapathy Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is currently busy with his election campaign, which will mark his electoral debut. On Sunday, the actor-turned-politician campaigned in Kanyakumari. The rally, which saw a sea of supporters converge at the venue, also featured Vijay riding a bicycle within the premises, much to the delight of his fans and cadres. He had earlier engaged in a cycle ride at his campaign venue in Karaikudi as well, as an outreach initiative. Thalapathy Vijay's bomb scare moment However, the situation turned chaotic, with people trying to get closer to him. In Kanyakumari, organisers had cordoned off the crowd, allowing Vijay to ride without obstruction. A dramatic moment occurred when a supporter got close to Vijay and threw a ball of flowers towards him. The politician, who was alert, immediately jumped off the bicycle and ran towards a van following him. His security team rushed in to ensure his safety. However, the object thrown by the man turned out to be just flowers, suggesting it was intended as a gesture of admiration rather than harm. ये विजय ऐसे क्यों भागा, अरे भाई माला ही तो फेंकी थी आपके समर्थक ने.... pic.twitter.com/IbGvtlJyqa — Dinesh Dangi (@dineshdangi84) April 12, 2026 Vijay on his vision for Tamil Nadu While addressing the crowd, the TVK chief unveiled a tech-centric “21st-century good governance” agenda, promising to establish India’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence if voted to power. He proposed an “AI City” and a dedicated AI University to capture a significant share of the global technology economy, which he estimated would contribute USD 1.7 trillion to India by 2035. Vijay also took aim at the administrative machinery, promising a “Tamil Nadu Citizen Privilege Card” for every household to ensure welfare benefits reach doorsteps without middlemen or bribes. “This isn’t a story like the ones told by Stalin sir; this is scientifically possible. Currently, the system is not ‘good governance,’ it is ‘harassment’. Bribes don’t just stop at the officer; a share goes to the minister. We will break this chain,” he said. He further pledged to pass a “Right to Service Act” within six months of assuming office and launch a “Vettri Tamil Nadu” Super App to digitise all government services, from ration cards to driving licences. On the state’s fiscal health, the TVK leader alleged that Tamil Nadu’s debt had crossed Rs 10.5 lakh crore, claiming that more debt was incurred in the last five years than in the previous seven decades. “Every rupee spent on interest is a rupee stolen from your child’s education and your family’s healthcare,” he stated. Vijay also proposed a “People’s Forum” for digital democracy, where petitions with 5 lakh verified signatures would mandate a formal discussion in the State Legislative Assembly.
13 April,2026 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDirector Saran's blockbuster film 'Amarkalam', featuring actors Ajith and his wife Shalini in the lead, is to be re-released in theatres on April 24 this year. The film holds a special place in fans’ hearts as it was during its making that Ajith Kumar and Shalini first met each other and fell in love. They eventually got married and turned into one of Tamil cinema’s most loved real-life couples. The re-release of the film has been positioned in such a way that it aligns with their wedding anniversary which falls on April 24. This grand re-release is to be presented across Tamil Nadu by Sparrow Cinemas’ Karthick Venkatesan. Sources close to the team that is re-releasing the film say that the film has been enhanced in stunning 4K digital format to offer audiences a chance to relive the experience. The film, which took a strong opening during its original release in 1999 and went on to become a massive box office success, is expected to recreate the same electrifying atmosphere in theatres, with fans gearing up for a full-fledged celebration. The film, which many in the industry consider to be a cult love story, is regarded as a defining moment in actor Ajith Kumar's film journey. ‘Amarkalam’, which happened to be the 25th film of the actor, wasn’t just a blockbuster, it was also a turning point in Ajith’s career. Until then known for his soft romantic roles, this film marked his powerful transformation into an action hero, redefining his on-screen persona and paving the way for the mass icon status he enjoys today. For the unaware, 'Amarkalam' was best known for Ajith’s electrifying performance, Shalini’s captivating screen presence, and Bharadwaj’s soul-stirring musical score. Even today, the film’s music and moments continue to strike a chord with both longtime fans and the new-age audience. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 April,2026 12:38 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSDeeply disturbed by the leaking of footage of actor Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan on the Internet before its release, the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the largest and oldest association of producers of film and entertainment content, has now written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in the issue and urging him to direct immediate and stringent action against those responsible for the piracy of the film. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, IMPPA President Abhay Sinha said that at a time when the industry was striving to evolve and step into emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, it was deeply concerning that they were still unable to effectively tackle the basic and long-standing problem of piracy. Pointing out that IMPPA had, on multiple occasions, written letters and submitted complaints to the concerned authorities highlighting the growing menace of film piracy, particularly through various platforms such as Telegram, torrent websites, and illegal portals like Tamilrockers, Sinha said that despite these repeated representations, such platforms continued to function unabated, and were streaming films fearlessly, causing immense financial strain on producers and stakeholders and pushing them towards severe losses and potential collapse. "We would like to draw your urgent attention to the case of the film Jana Nayagan. The film has been ready for a considerable period and was submitted for certification as it was supposed to release on 9th January 2026. However, due to repeated delays on various grounds and subsequent legal processes, certification has not been granted till date, effectively preventing its official theatrical release and its exploitation in theatres," Sinha informed the Prime Minister. He went on to say, "Such delays in certification not only disrupt release schedules and financial planning but also expose films to serious risks. In the present case, the absence of timely certification and release has resulted in the film being illegally pirated, causing substantial financial losses to the producer and impacting all stakeholders associated with the project." Requesting the Prime Minister to direct immediate and stringent action against those responsible for the piracy of the film, Sinha also urged the Prime Minister to implement better protection and clear responsibility measures to prevent piracy of films before their official release. "Given the seriousness and recurring nature of this issue, it is essential that piracy is effectively curbed, as its continued existence results in severe financial losses, discourages investment, and threatens the survival of producers and all stakeholders associated with the industry, which remains a significant contributor to the “Make in India” initiative encouraged by your esteemed leadership," he pointed out. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 April,2026 12:32 PM IST | Chennai | IANSSuperstar Jr. NTR has upped his ante for his next film, tentatively titled “Dragon,” as he showcased his muscular back while prepping for the Prashanth Neel movie. Jr. NTR took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of himself. In the image, the actor’s back is towards the camera. He is shown flaunting his chiselled back and beefed up biceps as he posed for a picture at the gym. For the caption, he simply wrote: “Built. Not bought. #NTRNeel @kumarmannava @ntrneelfilm.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jr NTR (@jrntr) The film reportedly also features Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor and Biju Menon. As per a synopsis, the film is an “action saga” with “emotionally charged incidents that take place over a periodic timeline people's lives were all connected. In 1969, in the area where the borders of China, Bhutan, and India's Golden Triangle meet.” As per reports, the next shoot schedule for Dragon is expected to begin soon. Other details about the film are still underwraps. It was last year, when Jr. NTR made his debut in Hindi cinema with Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, which also stars Hrithik Roshan. The film is a sequel to the 2019 film War. It also featured names such as Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor in key roles. As per a synopsis, the film follows Kabir Dhaliwal, a former RAW agent, who, after going rogue, becomes a major threat to national security, and a special units officer, Vikram Chelapathi, is assigned to neutralise him. Made on an estimated budget of Rs. 300–400 crore, it is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. In Telugu cinema, he was seen in “Devara: Part 1”, which also stars Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Srikanth and Shine Tom Chacko. The film follows Devara, chieftain of a coastal village, who feuds with his counterpart Bhaira over arms smuggling through the Red Sea. As per reports, the shoot for the second part of the duology will start soon. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
13 April,2026 12:09 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThalapathy Vijay’s farewell film was set to release in theatres in January this year. However, owing to censor trouble, the film titled Jana Nayagan was delayed indefinitely. However, the film got leaked online last Friday. This has sent shockwaves across the industry, with many speaking up against piracy and the need for action against the crime. Now, actor R. Madhavan has reacted strongly to the incident, calling it extremely disturbing. R Madhavan reacts to Jana Nayagan leak On Monday, R. Madhavan took to X and reacted to the film’s leak. He was responding to a post by Suriya, who also condemned the leak. Suriya wrote, “Heartbreaking and unfair — an entire team’s passion reduced to this. I request you all with honesty, please don’t watch, share, or discuss the film here. Respect their work. I stand with my friends and condemn the act; it’s unforgivable.” Reposting it, R. Madhavan wrote, “I totally agree, and this is extremely heartbreaking and troubling. How are people getting away with this? Please respect the hard work of all the people involved in this film. Please avoid watching it on pirated platforms. ” I totally agree and this is extremely heartbreaking and troubling. How are people getting away with this . Please respect the hard work of all the people involved in this Film. 🙏. Please do avoid watch it it on the pirated platforms.. .. 🙏 https://t.co/tvyiIEl3ww — Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) April 13, 2026 CBFC reacts to film leak Meanwhile, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued a statement denying any link to the leak. In an official statement, the CBFC refuted the claims, calling them “baseless and false.” A statement shared through Press Information Bureau Maharashtra’s official X account read, “Reports alleging that the Tamil film Jana Nayagan has been leaked from the CBFC are baseless and false.” They revealed that the digital print of Jana Nayagan was returned to the makers last month. “Access to the content is password-protected, and the KDM remains solely with the producer/filmmaker. Without a valid KDM, the film cannot be accessed or viewed. The DCP (Digital Cinema Package) of Jana Nayagan was handed over to the applicant in Mumbai on March 17 with due acknowledgement and has remained with them since,” the statement read. Recently, a few scenes from the much-anticipated Tamil drama Jana Nayagan surfaced online. It must be noted that the movie has been delayed for months following a tiff with the CBFC.
13 April,2026 11:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMasoom Sharma has landed in legal trouble after a controversy at a public event in Dehradun. A criminal case has been registered against the popular folk artist over allegations of using objectionable language on stage, sparking outrage among attendees and drawing the attention of authorities. As the incident gained traction online, multiple complaints and an official probe have followed. Criminal case registered against Masoom Sharma The event took place on April 10 at DAV (PG) College in Dehradun, as per official documents. The complainant, Pranchal Nauni, stated that Sharma's remarks from the stage deeply hurt the sentiments of both students and members of the public attending the event. The police have registered the case under FIR No. 63/2026, invoking multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 296 (obscene acts and songs), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace), Section 79 (words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and Section 351(3) (criminal intimidation). The Dehradun Police confirmed the FIR and said that statutory legal proceedings will be carried out following a detailed investigation in accordance with the law. The Haryana State Commission for Women has also taken cognisance of the controversy. Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia has issued a formal notice summoning the singer to appear before the panel on April 18 at 11 a.m. at its office in Panchkula, Haryana. The singer is accused of using inappropriate language and displaying conduct considered unbecoming of a public figure. The Commission noted that such behaviour, if established, raises serious concerns about maintaining dignity, decency, and respect towards women in public spaces, especially within educational institutions. About the controversy Sharma allegedly used objectionable language on stage while referring to a goon who he claimed had come to kill him outside the hotel where he was staying in Dehradun, shortly after sharing the stage with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the college. The video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting multiple police complaints against Sharma across the state. Responding to the controversy, Sharma released a video apology, stating that stress caused by threats from a suspected gangster led to his outburst on stage. For those unversed, Masoom Sharma is a leading Haryanvi singer and composer known for blending traditional folk with modern desi pop. He rose to fame with hits like '2 Numbari' and 'Madam Ji.'
13 April,2026 10:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJana Nayagan, Vijay’s final film, still awaits its official release date. Amid this, the movie has leaked online, and it has received a sharp response from the actors. The Cyber Crime Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police initiated a detailed investigation and named 21 individuals in the case. Now, they have made six arrests and have even taken down over 300 links. TN cybercrime makes 6 arrests in Jana Nayagan leak case The cybercrime branch made six arrests in the case on Sunday. The makers' legal team is being represented by Vijayan Subhramanium. He took to his X account and shared, “The Cyber Crime Department has already arrested six persons in connection with the illegal circulation of leaked content from #Jana Nayagan. Any person downloading, forwarding, sharing, or circulating leaked scenes in any form through social media or digital platforms will be traced and subjected to immediate criminal prosecution. Strict action will follow without exception.” Authorities have taken down over 300 links hosting the pirated content as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the film online. The complaint was filed by R. Udayakumar, Production Controller of KVN Productions, who sought urgent police intervention against the illegal leak and circulation of unreleased footage from the film. He alleged that certain individuals had unlawfully accessed, downloaded, copied, and shared scenes online, causing significant damage to the project. According to the complaint, as many as 21 persons have been named for their alleged involvement in the piracy network. More about Jana Nayagan Jana Nayagan, which is said to be Vijay's final film before his full-time move into politics, has already faced delays due to certification issues. The film was initially slated to release during Pongal on January 9. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan features an ensemble cast including Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, and Gautham Vasudev Menon. After the leak, a storm of accusations followed, with fingers quickly pointing at the CBFC. As speculation grew online, the board has now issued a clear statement denying all such claims. The issue drew reactions from several film personalities, including Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan.
13 April,2026 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
