The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a show cause notice to leading Telugu production banner Sri Venkateswara Creations for using five elephants without obtaining the mandatory pre-shoot permission for 'Thalapathy' Vijay's upcoming Tamil film, Varisu. In a written communication dated November 23, AWBI secretary SK Dutta stated that using elephants without the approval of the board is a violation of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001. The notice has been sent by the Board based on a private complaint.
Dutta has also confirmed that the Board did not receive the pre-shooting application from Sri Venkateswara Creations for Vijay's Varisu to date. As per Rule 3(1) of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, it is mandatory for every individual to register with the AWBI if animals are exhibited or trained. The notice also states the Varisu team should submit a full and comprehensive explanation in regard to the violations made by the film's production within 7 days of the receipt of the letter. Below is the show cause notice sent to the producers of Varisu: