Producer Vashu Bhagnani hospitalised in London amid Income Tax searches

Veteran Hindi film producer Vashu Bhagnani has reportedly been admitted to a hospital in London. The reason for his hospitalisation has not been made public, and there is no update yet on his condition. When a news agency reached out to him, the producer said he wanted to be left "alone".

The news comes soon after the Income Tax Department reportedly searched 12 locations in Mumbai linked to Bhagnani, his daughter-in-law Rakul Preet Singh and Panorama Studios, the banner led by producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. Investigators are said to be looking into suspected irregularities, including claims that money was moved abroad under the cover of funding film projects.

Teams reportedly went through documents, financial records and details of the alleged overseas transactions. The department has not shared its findings or the amounts involved, and it has not confirmed that any tax rule was broken. Neither Bhagnani nor Rakul has responded publicly to the reports. According to reports, nothing official ties the searches to his hospital stay.

Bhagnani set up Pooja Entertainment in 1995 and began his producing career that same year with Coolie No. 1, starring Govinda. The banner went on to back popular titles such as Hero No. 1, Biwi No. 1, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, along with later films like Sarbjit and Bell Bottom.

Recent years have been tougher. Several of the company's films have underperformed at the box office, among them the 2024 action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Pooja Entertainment is now run by Bhagnani together with his son Jackky Bhagnani, who is married to Rakul Preet Singh.

Panorama Studios, also named in the searches, has its next film Drishyam: The Conclusion scheduled to reach cinemas on October 2. For now, both an update on Bhagnani's health and the outcome of the tax probe are awaited.