A case has been registered against the producer of the Kannada movie 'Toxic' and two others for alleged illegal tree cutting during its filming in a forested area in Bengaluru. The movie features Kannada star Yash, best-known for 'KGF', in a lead role.
Acting on the orders of a magistrate court, the Karnataka forest department registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Saturday against the movie's producer, KVN Mastermind Creations, the General Manager of Canara Bank and the General Manager of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) under the Karnataka Forest Act 1963.
This issue had come to light last month when Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre conducted a site inspection at the Peenya Plantation in Bengaluru, where the movie was being shot. The minister had asked the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to conduct an inquiry and the Bengaluru civic body had approached a court, which ordered the registration of an FIR against the producer and the organisations that had rented out the land.
It was initially believed that the land was rented by HMT but the company claimed that was not the case and the plot belonged to Canara Bank. The producer of the film has said that the shooting was done on private land and all necessary permissions had been taken.
Forest Minister Khandre has also ordered disciplinary action against officials who granted permission for tree-cutting, if any.
Sources said the filming of the movie is now being completed in Mumbai. The release is expected around April next year.
'Toxic' is directed by Geetu Mohandas, known for films like 'Moothon' and 'Liar's Dice'. It also stars Huma Qureshi and Akshay Oberoi.
"No Talking, No Phone": Employee Shares Strict Workplace Rules, Calls It A "Jail" Not AB De Villiers: This Ex-South Africa Star, Once Associated With RCB, Made Sri Lanka Consultant Bengaluru Landlord Asks Rs 5 Lakh Deposit For Rs 40,000 Rental Flat: "This Is Extortion" "Officials To Pay From Salary": Top Court Guidelines On 'Bulldozer Justice' Top Roles For Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy In Donald Trump's Cabinet Deadly 'MATGA Movement' Emerges In US After Trump's Win, Here's What It Is Former NBA Player Kyle Singler's Cryptic Instagram Videos Raise Concerns 18th Century Sculpture Bought For Rs 540 Could Sell For Over Rs 2.68 Crore Donald Trump Sets 'Existential' Battle Against China With Cabinet Picks Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.