Bangalore: Ramgadh, the village on the outskirts of Bangalore, whose residents were preyed upon by the archetypal Bollywood villain Gabbar Singh, is facing a fresh threat, 35 years after Sholay released to massive critical and commercial success.
Only this time, the threat to the village situated on the outskirts of Bangalore in real life and called Ramanagar, is from ruthless land sharks.
Ananthara Resorts, a hospitality company, plans to build a commercial resort that will have Sholay as its theme on the location where the epic film was shot 35 years ago.
"It will be a stylish resort with 24 rooms, health club, spa and swimming pool on 6.78 acres of land," explained G Ravishankar, managing director, Ananthara Resorts.
Ramanagar, which resounded with the fearsome laughter of Gabbar played by Amjad Khan, is home to several rare species, including the big billed vulture and sloth bear.
"We will call it Ramgadh Resort. The staff will be seen in Gabbar Singh's uniform. We don't want to undo the heritage of Sholay or hurt the rare vultures on the spot.
"Let them develop the sanctuary on remaining land. We will also support them," Ravishankar added.
Heritage lovers as well as forest department officials are opposing the venture, which is to come up within forest limits.
"The government should have declared the location a heritage site considering the history of Sholay," argues Deepak Arya, a wildlife activist.
"The area is home to rare species like the long billed vulture and sloth bear.
"While the administration is insensitive, higher ups in the government are backing land sharks for obvious reason. I find this utterly disgusting."
Forest department officials said the spot should have been declared a heritage site. They also said that any development at the site would amount to encroachment on what was forest land.
"Our map says the 280 acres on which the resort is to come up has been notified as forest land in 1917. No one is even allowed to enter the area," said a senior forest officer.
G Ravishankar, however, describes forest officials as mafia in uniform. "All they want to do is extort money from us. The title deed to the property is in my name.
They kept mum all these days and suddenly surfaced when we began construction. The forest department is just another name for corruption," said Ravishankar.
The district administration, and even Home Minister VS Acharya, is allegedly being seen siding with Ananthara Resorts.
Shortly after a complaint was lodged, Acharya allegedly shot a letter warning forest officials to co-operate with resort developers.
Chandrashekariah, deputy commissioner, Ramanagar said, "As far as I know, the resort is not being constructed on forest land. If the forest department has any objection, let them prove their point in a court of law. I think there is nothing wrong in building a resort there."
Acharya was evasive when MiD DAY asked him about his alleged support for Ananthara Resorts. "Forest officials are known for harassing people. I merely saw to it that the builder was not needlessly troubled by them. I wrote to the forest department because it helps a rightful cause. Moreover, if the resort is on forest land let the department take possession of it."