Mahesh Babu Summoned by ED Amid Real Estate Fraud Probe
Tollywood star faces scrutiny over ₹3.4 crore endorsement deals with firms accused of defrauding investors
Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu has been issued a summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear for questioning on April 27, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged real estate fraud involving Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group. The actor, who served as a brand ambassador for these firms, reportedly received ₹3.4 crore for his endorsements.
The case centers around accusations that Sai Surya Developers, led by proprietor Kancharla Sathish Chandra Gupta, and Bhagyanagar Properties Limited, managed by Narender Surana, defrauded investors by selling plots in unauthorized layouts without proper registration. One complainant, Pothuganti Gopal Reddy, alleged he paid ₹1.45 crore as an advance for a plot that was never registered in his name. Gupta has a history of similar offenses, with 11 prior cases involving fraudulent land sales.
Mahesh Babu’s association with Sai Surya Developers included promotional campaigns featuring his wife Namrata and children Gautam and Sitara. The family’s involvement in these advertisements has led some investors to claim they were misled into trusting the company’s legitimacy.
Known for his lucrative endorsement deals, Mahesh Babu has previously earned significant sums for brand promotions, including ₹5 crore for a brief voiceover for PhonePe and ₹12 crore for a Mountain Dew advertisement.
As the investigation unfolds, the ED aims to determine the extent of Mahesh Babu’s involvement and whether his endorsements played a role in the alleged fraud. The actor’s legal representatives have yet to issue a statement regarding the summons.
