Big B's Save Tiger programme in controversy

Big B's Save Tiger programme in controversy  

Bhopal, Dec 17 (IANS) The 'Save Tiger' programme, hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachchan for a TV channel in Madhya Pradesh's Pench Tiger Reserve, has sparked off controversy with a NGO claiming the event had violated wildlife laws.

NGO Uday has complained to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the central environment and forest ministry and the state's chief wildlife warden that the 12-hour telethon Dec 12 committed gross violations of various sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for violating sound limits in the tiger reserve.

"The campaign targeted profits and more TRPs regardless of the ill effect on wildlife... although it's a good move to start awareness among people and unite them for a global cause... but pros and cons should be kept in mind before organising such an event," Shehla Masood of Uday told IANS.

The programme had generated about Rs.5 crore for tiger projects in India.

Masood also said that the NTCA has informed her that they have forwarded the complaints to authorities concerned for further action.

State Chief Wildlife Warden H.S. Pabla told IANS that the complaint was "not much of a serious issue".

"The programme had been organised outside the park, so we have to see the legalities of the jurisdiction," he said.

My dream to make Agneepath a hit: Karan Johar

My dream to make 'Agneepath' a hit: Karan Johar  

By Dibyojyoti Baksi

Dubai, Dec 16 (IANS) Karan Johar, who is remaking his father Yash Johar's production "Agneepath", says it's his dream to make it a commercial hit this time around.

"My decision to remake 'Agneepath' is purely an emotional one. And I am glad that I am as passionate about the film as my father was. I want to make this film again in memory of my father and I will make sure I get it right commercially," Karan told IANS at the ongoing Dubai International Film Festival, where he was invited for a panel discussion.

"It was a film my father was most proud of. When we were making the film, we all believed it's a film that would redefine our company (Dharma Productions)...It was a commercial failure and it broke my father completely. I don't think he recovered from it ever," the filmmaker said.

In the remake, Hrithik Roshan is playing the iconic Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, played by megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the original version. The role fetched Bachchan a National Award but the film tanked at the box office.

Karan Johar maintains that his sole aim is to attach the 'hit' tag to "Agneepath" this time.

"We will never match the brilliance of Mukul Anand, we will never ever match the brilliance of Mr.Bachchan. We cannot compare to that kind of a genius combination. I hope we will come up with a film 'Agneepath' that at least will have a hit tag attached to it. It's my dream, my endeavour," Karan said.