‘Puli’ Movie Income Issue: ₹1.5 Crore Fine on Actor Vijay Upheld – High Court’s Decisive Verdict!

February 6, 2026 Published by Natarajan Karuppiah

The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by leading Tamil film star Actor Vijay, which sought to quash a ₹1.5 crore penalty imposed by the Income Tax Department for allegedly concealing income.

In 2015, the film ‘Puli’, directed by Chimbudevan and starring Vijay, was released. During that time, the Income Tax Department conducted surprise raids at the residences of Actor Vijay, as well as the film’s producers and distributors.

Based on documents seized during these raids, the IT Department discovered that Vijay had failed to disclose income exceeding ₹15 crore for that financial year.

In 2019, the Income Tax Department ordered a penalty of ₹1.50 crore under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act for the concealment of income.

Actor Vijay’s legal team challenged this penalty order in the Madras High Court, presenting the following arguments:

The penalty imposed by the IT Department was illegal.

The fine was levied after the prescribed statute of limitations/deadline had passed.

Income tax had already been paid properly.

Justice Anita Sumanth, who presided over the case, dismissed Vijay’s petition. The key highlights of the judgment include:

It is confirmed that Actor Vijay did not voluntarily disclose the income discovered during the raid beforehand.

There are no procedural errors in the Income Tax Department’s actions. Therefore, the ₹1.50 crore fine is valid.

Vijay’s request to cancel the penalty is rejected.

As Actor Vijay is currently deeply involved in the activities of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), this court ruling regarding an old case has sparked intense debate on social media.