Mani accepts new conditions for shooting

Director Mani Ratnam has agreed to the fresh terms and conditions stipulated by the Kerala State Forest Department to continue the shooting of the multilingual film "Ravana" in the Malayatoor forest, near Kochi, according to reports reaching Chennai.

The conditions imposed on Mani Ratnam are:

1. A daily fee of Rs. 10,000 would be charged (against Rs 1000 before)

2. Only 150 persons should participate in the shooting.

3. Not more than 15 vehicles would be allowed to enter the forest zone.

4. No big sets should be erected

5 .No loudspeakers, dynamites or detonators should be used.

6. Animals in the forest should not be disturbed.

7. The shooting timing would be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Forest department had last week ordered the film unit to stop the shooting and leave the forest on grounds of violation of certain conditions laid down by the department. After the shooting started, the department reportedly found that the unit had put up a number of huts and felled trees in the location. The shooting had started with more than 300 artistes and junior artistes participating in it.

Besides stopping the shooting, the department has also filed a case against Mani Ratnam's film company.

Mani Ratnam has made an appeal to the Kerala Government to reconsider the ban and grant permission to continue the shooting in the Malayatoor forest. On the directions of the Government, the resumption of shooting has been permitted imposing stiff conditions on the film unit.

Mani Ratnam was reportedly seriously considering moving to Sri Lanka if the Kerala Government turned down his appeal.