Now Aamir is in trouble over chinkara issue

Now Aamir is in trouble over chinkara issue
Wednesday, September 06, 2006 12:41 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Bollywood star Aamir Khan may have to revisit the border district of Kutch in Gujarat, this time not for shooting but to answer the state forest department in connection with the 'illegal' filming of a chinkara deer in the film "Lagaan".

Aamir allegedly used a chinkara for shooting the movie in 2000 in Jam Kunaria village in Kutch, 375 km from here.

According to a forest department official, Khan and Reena, the executive producer of "Lagaan" and the actor's former wife replied to the notice issued last month and in return posed questions on issuance of the same.

"In their reply they inquired on what basis the notice had been issued to them. The film star is communicating through his advocate, but he will have to come here personally to get his statement recorded," the Conservator of Forest of Kutch Circle, R.L. Meena, told.

"After getting reply of our earlier notice, we have issued another notice to the executive producer to make clarification on specific issues," he added.

In the second notice issued to the film producer this week, the forest department posed queries regarding the shooting of chinkara, a protected species, without permission, the place where it was shot and how come the animal was shown unconscious.

"If the animal was actually unconscious, they will have to explain how it became so. This is very serious," said Meena.

Since the case is grave, the department "won't act in a hurry and is careful before going further", he added.

The forest officials are planning to file a case against the filmstar along with Reena and his present wife Kiran Rao for violating the law by capturing footage of the animal without permission. Reena was the executive producer and Kiran Rao was the assistant director of the film.

According to a forest official, Aamir had asked for permission to shoot the animal, but the request was turned down. Still, when the film was exhibited, there was a shot of a chinkara.

The forest department had earlier reportedly carried some preliminary investigation and the matter was closed.

But the case reopened when an environment group, Gir Youth Nature Club, registered a complained in July this year, just after the state criminal investigation department was asked to re-investigate poaching charges levelled against another Bollywood star Salman Khan, eight years ago during the shooting of the film "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".
Kali Shakti Unleashed: Usha Uthup's powerful comeback in mythological horror MAA starring Kajol, song out now!

The much-anticipated song ‘Kali Shakti’ from the upcoming mythological horror MAA has

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Sunny Deol Drops Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse from 'Border 2' Shoot!

‘Border 2’ Gains Momentum with Power-Packed Star Cast at Pune’s National Defence Academy

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Aap Jaisa Koi: R- Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh's Unconventional Romance Premieres on This Date!

Netflix India is bringing a refreshing twist to the romantic drama genre with its upcoming release

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Akshay Kumar's 'Welcome To The Jungle' Faces Major Delays Due to Financial Setbacks!

The much-anticipated third installment of the ‘Welcome’ film franchise, titled ‘Welcome To The

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Aamir Khan's 'Sitare Zameen Par' Cleared by Censor Board Without Cuts: Release Date Confirmed!

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is all set to return to the silver screen with his highly anticipated film ‘Sitare

Tuesday, June 17, 2025