
Dragon Actress Kayadu Lohar Allegedly Paid Rs 35 Lakh By Tasmac Scam Accused, Reveals ED
Actress Kayadu Lohar is under the Enforcement Directorate's scanner for allegedly accepting ₹35 lakh from individuals involved in the ₹1000 crore Tasmac scam.
Actress Kayadu Lohar, who recently shot to fame in the Tamil film industry with the success of her 2025 fantasy-action film Dragon, has found herself under intense scrutiny after being linked to the ongoing TASMAC scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly investigating her alleged financial association with individuals accused in the massive liquor scam that has rocked Tamil Nadu. According to reports, ED officials uncovered that Lohar was allegedly paid ₹35 lakh by key figures associated with the scam to attend high-profile night parties, which are now under investigation for being possible fronts for money laundering and influence brokering.
Multiple ED raids across Tamil Nadu as part of their probe into corruption and embezzlement linked to TASMAC—the state-run liquor distribution network—revealed financial trails leading to celebrities. Lohar's name surfaced during the questioning of key suspects, and although she has not yet been officially summoned or charged, officials confirmed that her financial transactions are being scrutinised. Sources close to the investigation have claimed that the payments were made under the guise of party appearances, but may have had deeper implications. So far, the actress has not made any public statements regarding the allegations.
Kayadu Lohar, originally from Tezpur, Assam, began her acting career in 2021 with the Kannada film Mugilpete. She later featured in Malayalam films such as Pathonpatham Noottandu and Oru Jaathi Jaathakam, the Telugu movie Alluri, and even appeared in the Marathi film I Prem U. Her breakthrough came with Dragon, where she played the character Pallavi opposite Pradeep, Anupama Parameswaran, and Mysskin. Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, the film received both commercial and critical acclaim and catapulted her to stardom. She is now gearing up for her next big release, STR49, alongside Silambarasan, a project already generating buzz in the industry.
The TASMAC scam has become one of Tamil Nadu's largest political and financial scandals in recent history. It involves allegations of illegal liquor sales, inflated billing, and large-scale kickbacks within the state's official alcohol sales network. Investigators believe that over ₹1000 crore has been siphoned off, and several politicians, bureaucrats, and contractors have already been implicated. With Lohar's name now reportedly associated with those under ED scrutiny, the scandal has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, raising serious concerns about the growing intersection of celebrity culture and corruption.
While there is no official word yet from Lohar's legal team or representatives, the development has sparked widespread discussion on social media and in film circles. Supporters of the actress hope she will address the matter soon, while critics have called for transparency and accountability. As the investigation deepens, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact her rising career, which, until now, was seen as a beacon of promise in the South Indian film industry.
The actress continues to remain silent amid the swirling speculation, and fans await either a clarification or legal update. For now, Kayadu Lohar is the first celebrity to be associated with the high-profile TASMAC scam, and whether her involvement is proven or not, her name being linked to such a controversy is bound to cast a shadow over her future projects. In the coming weeks, more details are expected to emerge as the ED proceeds with the next phase of its investigation.
First Published:
May 22, 2025, 15:05 IST
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