Hyderabad: Tollywood's ace director Puri Jagannadh on Wednesday appeared for an interrogation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Excise and Enforcement Department in the sensational drugs case.

Accompanied by son Aakash and brother-actor Sairam Shankar, Puri reached the Abkari Bhavan in Nampally exactly at the stipulated time - 10am and was escorted into the investigation room. He will be questioned by the special official - Miryalaguda Excise Inspector Srinivas Rao who is assisted by another Excise Inspector Srinivas.

Excise and Enforcement Director Dr. Akun Sabharwal is present in the office, but will not be sitting in the inquiry room throughout the interrogation which is likely to continue for eight hours.

Puri who directed several blockbuster movies such as Pokiri, Deshamuduru, Chiruta, Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi, Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Idiot, Rogue, Loafer, Temper, etc, was found on the contact list of the drugs kingpin Calvin Masceranhas who was arrested on July 2. The Excise officials had reportedly found Puri's number and messages from his phone on several occasions to the drugs dealer.

The interrogation revolves around whether he himself used the drugs procured from the dealer or he shared the pills and powder with others. Actress Charmee, who is also served notices by the Excise department in the case, is believed to be a close associate of the director not only for their movies, but also outside. Puri did more number of movies with Ravi Teja than other heroes and the hero also figured in the list of suspects.

Unless the answers given by the director are satisfactory, he may be further questioned and in extreme possibility, he may also be detained, according to officials sources. To ascertain whether his answers are true, the team is also taking the help of a psychologist who will be present throughout the process.

After his name cropped up in the case, the ace director did not make any comment publicly but his son and daughter defended their father saying he did not need any drugs as he is a great creative director.

The SIT will interrogate one accused each day for the next 11 days and actress Charmee will appear on Thursday.