The makers of Simbu’s upcoming film Eeswaran have been served with a show-cause notice by the Animal Welfare Board of India for using a computer-generated snake in the film’s trailer and poster without obtaining a clearance certificate.
The letter also prompted the makers to stop the circulation of the teaser and the poster until permission was granted for the same.
“It is directed to you to immediately stop the circulation of trailer and poster without obtaining proper permissions and submit a written explanation within 7 days of receipt of this letter for releasing the said poster and trailer without obtaining NOC from the Board for using computer-generated Snake (look-a-like of Indian Cobra),” the letter stated.
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Recently, the makers of the film ran into trouble with the forest department after a video, of Simbu holding a snake, went viral. A Chennai-based activist filed a complaint with the Tamil Nadu forest department officials, earlier this week.
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Responding to the issue, the filmmakers issued a statement on November 13 claiming that the snake was fake. “Truly we shot the scene using a fake plastic snake. That was made to seem like a real snake in the movie using graphics. The news and stills about this scene has not been made public with the permission of the production team. This video was taken when we were using computer graphics and got leaked. From our side we are investigating as to how this video got leaked,” the statement read.
Eeswaran is directed by Susienthiran and bankrolled under Madhav Media and D Company banners headed by Balaji Kapa and KV Durai respectively.
The statement added, “Based on a complaint filed by an activist, forest range officer Clement Edison has called us for an enquiry. We have completely complied with the enquiry and we have given an explanation from our side. We have also informed them that we will provide the necessary evidence soon. The shooting for the movie is being carried out in accordance to the guidelines provided by the Tamil Nadu government.”
According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, snakes come under Schedule II protection and are not allowed to be handled by outsiders.