Environmentalists up in Arms Against Dhanush-starrer ‘Captain Miller

The district government has already been petitioned by MDMK leader and Keezhavapur Union councillor to take action against Captain Miller unit.

Environmentalists are furious with the Captain Miller starring Dhanush because they claim that the filming of the movie was harming the wildlife in Tamil Nadu’s Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KTMR).

C. Rajeev, Director of the Chennai-based Center for Policy and Development Studies, told IANS: “It has to be properly looked into whether proper permissions have been taken for the shooting of the movie Captain Miller near the buffer zone near the KTMR tiger reserve. Local people have complained that the high beam lights are affecting the wildlife including elephants and tigers besides other animals and environment ministry has to conduct a proper probe as to whether permission has been granted and if so, then how.”

The district administration has already received a petition from MDMK leader and Keezhavapur Union councillor requesting that Captain Miller unit be punished.

On a piece of private property close to the KTMR, a sizable set has been built, and lighting and fireworks are employed there. Captain Miller, a Satya Jyothi Films production, is anticipated to wrap up filming in the middle of April.

When contacted, Councillor Rama Udayakumar claimed that the Chenkulam canal bank had been harmed by the film crew and had been filled with dirt.

Udaykumar said: “This canal is the lifeline of 15 water tanks as it brings water to these tanks from Cottulam water falls. The forest department must immediately take action. The film crew is stating that they are close to the ruling dispensation.”

Locals have also complained to the district forest officials about a lone Tusker that has been spotted on farmland, claiming that the animal was avoiding the forest because of the illumination and fireworks that drive wild creatures away from their natural habitats.

The office of the Tamil Nadu forest minister told IANS that they were looking into the situation and would brief the media after they had heard from the relevant parties in the forest department.

There was no one at Satya Films accessible to comment.