Actor Rishab Shetty in a still from the film Kantara.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Action will be initiated against the film crew of Kantara: Chapter 1 if it is found that they violated the conditions of shooting the film in the forests, said Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday.
The film is being shot around Gavi Betta in Heruru village and the surrounding areas in Yeslur range in Sakleshpur of Hassan district. “If the crew is found to have violated the conditions, we will stop the shooting and initiate action,” he told reporters here.
According to the Minister, Hombale Films, the producer of the movie, had sought permission to shoot for 23 days in the gomala land on the fringes of a portion of deemed forests in Gavi Betta and the surrounding areas, and the Hassan Deputy Conservator of Forest had given conditional approval.
“However, media reports state that the film crew is using crackers disturbing wildlife in the area. I have asked the officials to visit the spot and provide a report. I have also directed officials to stop film production if conditions have been violated,” Mr. Khandre said.
Regarding the action against producers of Yash-starrer Toxic, he said that Canara Bank, which has bought land from HMT, has given the area on lease, and a FIR had been filed against all the three. “The court has issued stay orders and we are trying to vacate the order.”
Meanwhile, the Minister also said that action will be taken against officials who have filed an interlocutory application before the Supreme Court without approval from the Cabinet. The officials allowed the applications to be filed in the SC in 2020 on the pretext that 443 acres of forest in HMT has lost the forest character. “We have already asked the IA to be withdrawn and the Cabinet has also approved it. The HMT has sold 160 acres for ₹330 crore, but has claimed the land value to be around ₹14,300 crore in its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court. We will not allow real estate business in the area and we want to create a large lung space.”
Arjuna memorial to be inaugurated in February
A memorial being built for Dasara elephant Arjuna, who died on December 4, 2023, during an operation to trap an elephant, will be inaugurated in the first week of February.
“The inauguration of the memorial got delayed owing to technical reasons though we wanted it to be inaugurated before the first anniversary. We are now ensuring that there is no inconvenience to tourists visiting the place,” Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said.
Similarly, another memorial has been built at Balle elephant camp in Nagarahole forest where Arjuna remained after being captured in a khedda operation in Kakanakote forests during 1968.
Published – January 20, 2025 09:49 pm IST
