The State Forest Department summoned the executive producer of the Aamir-Khan starrer Lagaan on Thursday, for questioning in connection with the use of a chinkara while shooting the film.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) Pradeep Khanna said, ‘‘The Deputy Conservator of Forest, Kutch, had recently issued a notice to the film’s executive producer, summoning him to Kutch on September 12 for questioning. The executive producer expressed his inability to present himself on September 12, and requested the officials to fix another date. The department directed him to remain present on Thursday,’’ said Khanna.  
 
Forest officials said, ‘‘If the executive producer fails to turn up on Thursday, the department will decide on further course of action.’’ Khanna said it’s difficult for the department to figure out if the protected animal had been actually killed while shooting the film. In one shot of the film, the chinkara is shown running, and in another shot it is shown as lying on the ground.

It may be recalled that the executive producer of Lagaan had approached the forest department for permission to use the protected animal during the shooting. But, then Chief Wildlife Warden G A Patel had turned down the plea.

Courtesy - Express News Service