Varisu: Animal Welfare Board of India issues a show cause notice to makers of the Thalapathy Vijay-starrer

Exhibitors across Tamil Nadu have started planning to allocate theatres for Vijay's Varisu and Ajith's Thunivu which are heading for a clash in January 2023. Some of the popular single screens are yet to officially announce the film which they would screen during the Pongal festival.

Varisu is slightly ahead of Thunivu in terms of promotions as the makers of the former have unveiled its first single. The second single from the Vamshi Paidipally directorial is likely to be released soon, while fans of Ajith are awaiting an update on the first single of Thunivu.

In an unexpected turn of events, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a show cause notice to team Varisu for using five elephants in a sequence without seeking their permission. The notice has been doing the rounds on social media. Movie lovers are curious to know what steps makers would initiate to stop the issue from getting escalated further.

AWBI has criticized makers for not sending pre-shoot applications till date, and they pointed out that this is a violation of Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001. They also added that exhibiting the animals without permission of the Board is an offense under Section 26 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

AWBI has sought a comprehensive explanation on the violations made by the team in seven days of the receipt of letter, failing which the organization shall take necessary action. The notice has been issued to Sri Venkateswara Creations, the production company of Dil Raju which has produced the project.

Varisu is the leading Tollywood producer's debut Tamil movie. His initial idea was to foray into Kollywood with Indian 2, but things didn't materialize as per his plans.