Latest news with #SaiSuryaDevelopers
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Tollywood stars face scrutiny over realty endorsements
Hyderabad: In the glitzy world of cinema, celebrity endorsements have long served as powerful tools for brand promotion. However, a rising trend among Tollywood stars endorsing real estate companies has now come under serious scrutiny. With several actors entangled in legal probes and public backlash, this emerging alliance between celebrities and real estate ventures is proving to be more problematic than profitable. Over the past few years, real estate developers, especially in growth corridors like Amaravati and Hyderabad's suburbs, have roped in leading Tollywood actors to serve as brand ambassadors for their projects. Among the most high-profile names is Mahesh Babu, whose association with several ventures, including Sai Surya Developers and Srisurya Developers, generated considerable investor attention and media buzz. Through glossy advertisements and high-impact campaigns, these collaborations helped developers build trust with the public—often without due transparency or scrutiny. However, the star power that once drove sales is now casting shadows. Mahesh Babu's association with Sai Surya Developers took a controversial turn when investors accused the company of fraud, claiming they had been misled by marketing campaigns prominently featuring the actor. The firm allegedly failed to deliver promised plots, leaving hundreds of investors in financial distress. Similar complaints have emerged around Srisurya Developers, which also used Mahesh Babu and his family in promotional material. These allegations escalated when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently issued a notice to Mahesh Babu, summoning him in connection with a money laundering investigation involving both Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group. The probe is centered around illegal fund movements and the role of celebrity endorsements in masking alleged scams. The legal summons has sent shockwaves through the Telugu film industry and has triggered widespread debate on the accountability of public figures in brand promotions. But Mahesh Babu is not alone. Other Tollywood actors like Ram Charan and actress Genelia have also faced backlash for lending their names to real estate firms that later ran into trouble. Ram Charan's endorsement of Suvarnabhumi Projects drew criticism after several land-related complaints surfaced. Similarly, Genelia's involvement with a disputed housing venture led to legal challenges, making it clear that celebrity associations are no shield against public and legal scrutiny. These incidents underscore a critical issue: celebrities often endorse brands based on contracts and commercial returns, without adequately vetting the ethics, legality, or financial health of the companies involved. In sectors like real estate - where large sums of public money are at stake—such endorsements can cause serious consequences. When projects collapse or fail to deliver, the backlash inevitably falls on the celebrities who championed them. Speaking about it, popular film director and producer Thammareddy Bharadwaja said: 'Actors must be cautious before endorsing a brand, as their influence significantly impacts the public. The government should also take necessary measures to prevent misleading endorsements. For instance, the 1950 film 'Sangram,' starring Ashok Kumar, was banned by the government because the protagonist was shown engaging in illegal activities. Similar stringent actions should be considered in cases of questionable brand endorsements as well.' He also said that monetary gain should not be the sole factor guiding an actor's decision to endorse a product. The growing number of controversies is a stark reminder that celebrity endorsements must come with responsibility. Legal experts and consumer rights advocates are now calling for stricter guidelines and accountability measures governing such promotions. These could include mandatory due diligence by celebrities, clearer disclaimers in advertisements, and legal provisions to hold endorsers liable in cases of public deception. Speaking on this issue, Sistu Ramesh, a senior advocate, said, 'At this point, it's important to remember that Mahesh Babu is not the primary subject of investigation. His name has surfaced likely in the context of brand endorsements. As an actor and public figure, he may have been engaged purely on a professional basis, but actors should have a background verification before endorsing such brands. There should be strict guidelines for such promotions.' As the landscape of brand collaborations evolves, Tollywood actors and other public figures must tread carefully. The onus lies on them to ensure their influence is used ethically and responsibly. Failure to do so not only risks their reputation and career but also impacts thousands of fans and investors who trust their endorsements. The glitter of fame must not blind the stars to the real-world consequences of their choices, experts say.
Hans India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Mahesh Babu seeks time to appear before ED
Hyderabad: Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu wrote to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stating that he wouldn't be able to attend inquiry due to his shooting schedule and requested for a new date in a case related to a brand endorsement. The actor was recently summoned by the ED and asked to appear before the officials on Sunday. As per the previously scheduled appointment, Mahesh Babu was expected to present himself before the officials on Sunday. However, he did not attend and instead sent a letter to the ED officials, explaining the reasons for his absence. The issue is related to his remuneration from city-based Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers, for promoting their real estate projects. Mahesh Babu was the brand ambassador for these two realty firms and reportedly received over Rs 11 crore for appearing in their advertisements. Mahesh Babu reportedly received a remuneration of Rs 5.5 crore from Surana Group and Rs 5.9 crore Sai Surya Developers, for promotional activities. He received Rs 2.5 crore in cash and Rs 3.4 crore via cheque from Sai Surya Developers, which reportedly will be the focal point of the investigation. The ED notice to Mahesh Babu came a week after it conducted searches at the premises of the realty firms in Hyderabad. The agency announced that it had unearthed unaccounted cash transactions worth Rs 100 crore and seized Rs 74.50 lakh cash during searches in connection with an ongoing investigation against Sai Surya Developers and others. The ED stated that it initiated investigation on the basis of several FIRs registered by Telangana Police against Sai Surya Developers, Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd of Surana Group, and others under various sections of IPC for defrauding and cheating gullible customers of their hard-earned money in the name of advance for sale of plots involving huge amounts.
India Today
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Mahesh Babu's letter to ED on money laundering probe: Can't attend today
Telugu actor Mahesh Babu wrote to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials that he will be unable to attend the scheduled inquiry today. In a letter to the ED, the actor cited personal reasons for his absence. Mahesh Babu was summoned for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation into the Sai Surya Developers ED's investigation stems from its scrutiny of several Hyderabad-based real estate firms, including Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group, which are accused of fraudulent activities. The actor is under investigation for promoting these controversial real estate projects, which allegedly duped homebuyers through false promises and illegal came on the ED's radar for promoting controversial real estate projects and reportedly received Rs 5.9 crore for his promotional work, including Rs 3.9 crore via cheques and Rs 2 crore in cash. The ED has issued notices to Mahesh Babu regarding the money he received for these promotions. The case centres around fraudulent activities by the promoters of these real estate firms, who are accused of selling unauthorised plots of land, accepting payments without proper agreements, and failing to deliver on promises made to investors. Just days ago, the ED's Hyderabad Zonal Office conducted raids at multiple locations in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, uncovering incriminating documents and unaccounted cash transactions amounting to around Rs 100 investigation follows multiple FIRs filed by Telangana Police against key figures in the case, including Narendra Surana, director of Bhagyanagar Properties Limited, and K Sathish Chandra, proprietor of Sai Surya
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Real estate scam case: Actor Mahesh Babu writes letter seeking a different date to appear before ED
HYDERABAD: Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu wrote a letter to Enforcement Directorate Hyderabad zonal officials to give another date to appear before them instead of the 27th of April in connection with the Sai Surya Developers case. A week ago, the agency officials conducted raids in Sai Surya and Surana group real estate companies in suspected money laundering allegations. Reportedly, the agency uncovered illegal transactions worth nearly Rs 100 crore during searches. Mahesh Babu reportedly received a remuneration of Rs 5.5 crore and Rs 5.9 crore from Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers respectively, for promotional activities. The remuneration Mahesh Babu received from Sai Surya Developers, including Rs 2.5 crore in cash and Rs 3.4 crore via cheque, will reportedly be the focal point of the investigation, where links between the funds collected from the company's fraudulent activities and the legality and course of the cash component will be investigated.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Actor Mahesh Babu cites scheduling conflict, ED questioning postponed
Actor Mahesh Babu has sought an adjournment from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and will not appear for questioning on April 28, as previously scheduled. The ED has confirmed the adjournment request. The actor is being investigated in connection with a money laundering case involving Hyderabad-based real estate firms Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group. He allegedly received ₹5.9 crore for endorsing their projects, with a portion paid in cash, raising concerns about potential links to illicit financial activities. 'He cited film shooting and some personal commitments as reasons to seek adjournment,' confirmed an officer. While Mahesh Babu is not currently an accused in the case, the ED is examining the financial transactions related to his endorsements. The investigation stems from complaints filed by investors who claim to have been defrauded by these real estate firms. The ED's probe includes searches conducted on April 16, which led to the seizure of documents and cash amounting to ₹74.5 lakh, along with evidence of approximately ₹100 crore in questionable transactions. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses. The ED initiated its investigation following multiple FIRs registered by the Telangana Police against Narendra Surana, director of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd., K. Sathish Chandra Gupta, proprietor of Sai Surya Developers, and several others for allegedly duping investors by collecting advance payments for plots and failing to honour agreements.
