The century-old Mysuru zoo has approached the Regional Censor Board in Bengaluru seeking clearance for its short film made in commemoration of its 125th anniversary.
Wildlife filmmaker Shekar Dattatri and his team had shot the 25-minute film that captures the country’s biggest and leading zoo’s glorious journey since its inception.
The film crew took about a month to produce the motion picture, shooting amidst visitors. A drone camera was used to capture aerial shots of the premises. The team visited animal enclosures and spoke to keepers.
In 1892, the then Mysuru Maharaja, Chamarajendra Wadiyar built the zoo as a ‘palace zoo’, which was later developed into a full-fledged zoological garden.
The Kannada version of the film was completed recently and the English version had been completed earlier. A DVD of the Kannada version had been sent to the board for clearance.
To celebrate its 125th anniversary in a big way, the zoo produced the film roping in Mr. Dattatri. As it now wants to screen the film to a bigger audience, it is looking for a bigger place to do so. Moreover, the zoo management has proposed to get the film released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
After a multiplex came forward to screen the film that can be watched by over 500 persons, the zoo resolved to hold the film’s first screening at a cinema instead of an auditorium since the event would be graced by many VVIPs.
“The Censor Board clearance was mandatory if the film had to be screened in a cinema,” sources told The Hindu. They said the zoo went to the board last week and was awaiting early clearance for the release.
The zoo completed its centenary in 1992 and thereafter enriched its collections to maintain its reputation. Rare, endangered and vulnerable species of animals are housed here.
The zoo has proposed to release the Kannada version of the film first and subsequently plan the release of other versions. Upon its release, the zoo plans to upload the film on YouTube and also sell the film CDs and DVDs for a nominal price.
