Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged authorities to allow Vels Studios, the venue for the ongoing Bigg Boss Kannada Season 12, to resume operations after its sealing over environmental violations. The Congress leader emphasised the economic importance of entertainment productions, stating that halting such shows could jeopardise thousands of jobs. His intervention comes a day after the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ordered the immediate closure of the Bidadi-based studio on October 7, citing non-compliance with air and water pollution norms under the 1974 and 1981 Acts. Shivakumar, who inaugurated the Jolly Wood Studios facility earlier, learnt of the crackdown through media reports and consulted Bengaluru South District Commissioner Yeshwanth V Gurukar for details.
The KSPCB's notice to Vels Studios and Entertainment Private Limited (Jolly Wood Studios & Adventures) highlighted the absence of required consents for establishment and operation, including a non-functional sewage treatment plant discharging around 2.5 lakh litres of untreated wastewater daily. Located on a 35-acre site in the Bidadi, Ramanagara district, the premises doubles as an amusement park and has hosted Bigg Boss Kannada—produced by Banijay Entertainment—for several seasons.
The October 6 directive invoked Section 31(A) of the Air Act for swift enforcement, leading to the evacuation of contestants, over 700 technical staff, and the locking of the ₹5 crore custom-built set. Season 12, launched on September 28 and hosted by Kichcha Sudeep, was in its second week, drawing high TRPs for Colours Kannada. Environmental Minister Eshwar Khandre defended the action, noting prior warnings since March 2024 and violations of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal orders, underscoring that "nobody is above the law."
Shivakumar, addressing reporters, clarified that officials acted lawfully but stressed the need for resolution. "I have advised that they should be given an opportunity to resolve whatever the issues are. Bigg Boss is not the only one—all entertainment programmes should continue," he said, highlighting private investments and employment generation. He dismissed opposition barbs, including a sarcastic tweet from JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy referencing a "nut and bolt tightened" video, as mere politicking. "Unless they remember me every day, Kumaraswamy will neither find peace nor sleep," Shivakumar quipped, accusing the JD(S) of exploiting the incident for electoral gains ahead of potential alliances.
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In a potential reprieve, Gurukar revealed that studio organisers requested a 10-day window to rectify compliances, forwarding the plea to KSPCB for review. The request acknowledges procedural lapses but assures full adherence moving forward. As fans flood social media with #SaveBiggBossKannada, the episode spotlights tensions between regulatory enforcement and Karnataka's burgeoning entertainment sector, valued at over ₹10,000 crore annually. With activists protesting outside the sealed gates and production costs mounting, the board's decision could reshape compliance standards for film and TV hubs, balancing ecological safeguards with creative livelihoods in India's Silicon Valley.
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