‘Rocking Star’ Yash’s new movie lands in hot water over dubious felling of trees in reserve forest- The Week

Kannada actor “Rocking Star” Yash’s much-awaited movie Toxic lands in fresh controversy. The makers of the movie are accused of felling more than 100 trees in Bengaluru for film-set construction without the proper nod from authorities.

Karnataka’s forest minister, Eshwar Khandre, has instructed officials in a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment to initiate disciplinary action against those office-bearers who allegedly permitted the action by the makers of Toxic.

Khandre accused Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), calling the felling of trees “a serious violation.” “Hundreds of trees have been removed without permission, and we are seeking strict legal repercussions,” added the minister, citing the location of the film set. He also added that forest land, which amounts to 599 acres, was allegedly transferred in the 1960s to HMT without any de-notification.

“HMT illegally sold the forest land in its possession to various government and private organisations and individuals and non-forestry activities take place here,” he said, “the felling of trees in this forest area is visible from the satellite image.”

The forest minister stressed the fact that disciplinary action would be taken against officers who gave permission to fell trees inside the reserve forest, and cases would be registered against the persons responsible for cutting the trees.

KVN Productions, the production house of Yash-starrer Toxictold News 18 that the claims were unfounded and that the set was constructed on private property. They mentioned that they plan to challenge the allegation after the Forest Department’s report. The movie Toxic was announced almost a year ago, in December 2023, with the scheduled theatrical release on April 10, 2025.