(Image source from: therahnuma.com)

The bank accounts of Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu were attached by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department on Thursday after the government said that it had to recover service tax dues from him.

The Hyderabad GST Commissionarate, in a press release, said that the Service Tax for 2007-08 for services which the actor rendered, like appearance money, advertising, promoting products and brand ambassador among others, which are taxable, were not paid.

"The total tax due from him was Rs 1.85 million or Rs 18.5 lakh. The GST department has attached his bank accounts in Axis Bank and ICICI Bank for an amount of Rs 7.35 million (Rs 73.5 lakh), which includes tax, interest, and penalty. We have attached the bank accounts and started recovering... We have recovered Rs 4.2 million (Rs 42 lakh) from Axis Bank today. Balance, ICICI bank has to pay by on Friday," the press release stated.

The 43-year-old actor, who can't operate his bank accounts up until the tax dues are settled, is yet to issue a statement clarifying his stand on the issue.

Currently, the popular actor is busy with shooting for Maharshi, with a major portion of it being shot in the United States. Directed by Vamsi Paidipally, the high budget project is bankrolled jointly by Dil Raju, Ashwini Dutt, and PVP. The film is about three friends played by Mahesh Babu, Allari Naresh, and Pooja Hegde. Veteran actor Jayapradha will also be playing a pivotal role.

Being his 25th film, Maharshi is a very crucial project in Mahesh Babu's career. Originally planned as a Sankranthi release, Maharshi will now hit the big screen on April 9 next year.

Soon after he is finished with Maharshi, the Tollywood superstar will be joining hands with director Sukumar for a new project.

-Sowmya