Film shoot in Sabarimala on Makaravilakku day; Director Anuraj Manohar’s statement recorded

PATHANAMTHITTA: Director Anuraj Manohar's statement has been recorded in the case related to the film shooting in Sabarimala on the Makaravilakku day. The statement was recorded at his house in Kochi. Anuraj told officials that the shooting was at Pampa Hill Top. The Devaswom Vigilance SP will submit the investigation report to the Devaswom president by Wednesday evening.

The forest department had registered a case against Anuraj Manohar yesterday for trespassing into the forest area. The forest department is investigating whether the shooting was in the place that is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Ranni division. However, the director claimed that the shooting was in Pampa as permission was not granted for shooting in Sannidhanam.

'Permission was sought at the place where the media stands in Sannidhanam. Pampa is the backdrop of the film. It is true that the devaswom board president denied permission. Later, met ADGP S Sreejith at Sannidhanam. He asked me to shoot in Pampa. Let the investigation proceed,' Anuraj Manohar responded.

Anuraj Manohar had approached devaswom board president K Jayakumar seeking permission to shoot the film in Sannidhanam before Makaravilakku. However, he denied permission, citing a high court ban on film shooting. He had also responded that there were practical difficulties in filming on the Makaravilakku day. The police also denied permission, stating that only authorized media personnel can enter that area. The case is that the film was shot despite all this. The devaswom president had directed the devaswom vigilance to conduct an investigation based on the incident. Meanwhile, the forest department has registered a case against the director.