iWorld
HC dismisses Bytedance’s plea, directs it to deposit $11 million in dues
NEW DELHI: In a major setback for TikTok developer ByteDance's India operations, the Bombay high court has dismissed its plea to unblock its bank accounts frozen by Indian authorities in an alleged case of tax evasion.
The bench of justices SP Deshmukh and Abhay Ahuja, however, granted Bytedance the leeway to operate its bank accounts in HSBC and Citibank after depositing the dues allegedly owed by the company to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities.
The court has directed Bytedance to deposit around $11 million that tax authorities believe the tech company owes. The company would need to keep that amount blocked in a state-run bank and cannot use it for any other purpose.
ByteDance has submitted that it does not owe the tax demanded by the Indian government and does not agree with the tax authority's decision to freeze its accounts. It further appealed that it needed access to the bank account in order to disburse salaries to its employees in India.
Counsel for the Union government opposed the plea, stating that no interference was warranted from the court at this stage. Following the ban on its top moneymaker, TikTok, in India, tax authorities were apprehensive that due to failing business, Bytedance will "run away". Hence, the freezing of the firm's bank accounts was undertaken to safeguard the interests of the tax authorities.
In mid-March, GST authorities had ordered HSBC Bank and Citibank in Mumbai to freeze accounts of ByteDance India as it probed some of the firm's financial dealings. The Chinese software developer challenged the move in court, saying the freeze amounts to harassment and was done illegally.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
