Hyderabad, April 22: Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation involving two Hyderabad-based real estate firms — Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group. The actor has been asked to appear on April 28, reportedly for endorsing real estate projects now under scrutiny for defrauding buyers.
According to reports, Mahesh Babu was paid ₹5.9 crore for promoting Sai Surya Developers’ ventures, which are currently being investigated for using allegedly illicit funds. The ED suspects that a significant portion of the laundered money was funneled through deceptive practices, likely involving large amounts of unaccounted cash.
The investigation stems from FIRs filed by the Telangana Police against the directors of the two companies. During the probe, ED officials noted that Mahesh Babu’s endorsement may have influenced public investment in the questionable projects. While there's no confirmation of the actor’s involvement in any wrongdoing, his role as a brand ambassador has led the ED to summon him for questioning.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu is in the midst of filming his highly anticipated movie with director SS Rajamouli — SSMB29, a jungle adventure also starring Priyanka Chopra. Slated for a 2026 release, the film includes an ambitious boat sequence featuring intense water, fire, and action elements. To prepare, around 3,000 individuals, including the lead actors, are undergoing specialized training set to be completed by the end of this month.
