A day before the theatrical release of 'Maharshi', producer Dil Raju's office near Banjara Hills was on Wednesday raided by the Income Tax department.  Searches are on currently.  A 5-member team of IT sleuths reached the office in the noon.  They told the staff that they would be examining the records pertaining to Sri Venkateswara Creations.

The raids come in the wake of several media reports stating that 'Maharshi' has done a phenomenal pre-release business.  Theatrical, satellite, digital and other rights have given the producers (including Ashwini Dutt and PVP) Rs 140 Cr or so.  It's said that the Mahesh Babu-starrer has been made at a whopping cost of Rs 130 Cr, with a lion's share going into the hero's pockets as remuneration.  

A statement from Dil Raju's office is awaited at the time of writing the news.