Bengaluru: The studio hosting the popular Kannada reality show Bigg Boss in Bidadi was sealed on Tuesday following an order from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which cited serious breaches of environmental regulations.

District officials, accompanied by police and KSPCB personnel, arrived at the premises and locked the facility, bringing filming and other activities to an immediate halt. The closure follows a notice issued on Monday to Vels Studios and Entertainment Private Limited, also known as Jolly Wood Studios & Adventures, directing the cessation of all operations with immediate effect.

In the official communication, the KSPCB highlighted that the studio was operating large-scale entertainment and studio activities without securing the mandatory consent under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

“The premises are being used without the required permissions for establishment and operation,” the notice stated, adding, “In view of these violations, you are directed to close down operations immediately and submit an explanation within the stipulated timeframe.”

Copies of the closure order were also dispatched to the Deputy Commissioner of Ramanagara District, the Managing Director of BESCOM, and the Executive and Assistant Executive Engineers of Ramanagara Taluk to ensure coordinated enforcement of the directive.

The notice warned that non-compliance would invite penal action under relevant environmental laws.

Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre told reporters that the studio had neither applied for nor obtained the necessary licences. “Despite repeated inspections and notices, they continued to operate their amusement park and other activities, in violation of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal orders. As they failed to comply, the closure notice was served,” he explained.

Minister Khandre added that the regional commissioner had served a notice in March 2024 and inspected the site. “It came to my attention that they had not secured licences under the Water and Air Acts, which were mandatory,” he said.

The Bigg Boss Kannada edition, hosted by actor Kichcha Sudeep, has been filmed for several years on a custom-built set at Bidadi. The show is among the state’s most popular television programmes, renowned for its elaborate production and high viewer engagement.

PTI