Jumbo which killed its caretaker not used for 'Raavan'

The Animal Welfare Board has issued showcause notice to the Mani Ratnam's company Madras Talkies for not taking permission to use elephants for the movie currently being shot in the Forest near Kochi in Kerala.

Senior unit members said that the unfortunate incident happened on Wednesday when the crew had gone to see the tusker as part of the pre-production recce.

The tusker was needed for the next schedule of the film which was to take place after 15 days.

"After we have agreed to use the animal, it is only then that a formal request will be given to the Animal Welfare Board. The jumbo was not used for shooting at all, so the question of using the animal without permission does not arise," the unit members on condition of anonymity said.

They said the incident did not happen on the sets, but a little away from the venue of actual shooting.

The unit members including the main cast comprising Aishwarya and Abhishek who were staying at the Athirampally Rain forest resort were left stranded for 10 hours because of the incident.

The elephant was taken away from the spot in the early hours of yesterday.