By Sitaram Mewati – Mumbai
Systematic lapse or intentional ignorance? Government of Maharashtra-owned Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri, popularly known as Mumbai Film City, has come under serious scrutiny after allegations surfaced that 14 live trees were illegally cut for the construction of a set for the popular television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in the Wada Village area inside the Film City premises. Environmental activists have alleged that the incident is not merely an isolated controversy but points to deliberate administrative indifference, with certain Film City officials allegedly permitting tree-cutting activities despite existing legal restrictions and ongoing court proceedings.
According to social activist Rajkiran Baburao Salve, several set holders inside Film City have allegedly cut trees in the past to create shooting sets, raising serious environmental concerns. Salve had earlier filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Bombay High Court through advocate Sameer Vaidya against such activities allegedly taking place within the Film City premises. Despite the matter being sub judice, the alleged cutting of 14 trees by the production company reportedly continued.
The controversy has triggered uncomfortable questions for Film City authorities, with activists claiming that such large-scale ecological damage could not have occurred without administrative negligence. The central question now being raised is whether the incident reflects a systematic lapse or intentional ignorance by officials entrusted with safeguarding the environment within the state-owned Film City complex.
It may be noted Under the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act, 1964, no individual, contractor, private entity or government authority can cut or remove trees without prior written permission from the designated Tree Officer or Tree Authority. The Film City–Aarey belt also enjoys additional judicial protection after the Supreme Court of India, in January 2025, directed that no further tree felling in Aarey Colony should take place without the court’s approval. Legal experts pointed out that even government infrastructure projects, including the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road tunnel project, were required to obtain special permissions before cutting trees in or near the Film City zone, while unauthorized pruning or felling can attract FIRs, penalties and intervention by civic and forest authorities.
This correspondent sent a detailed questionnaire via email and WhatsApp to Swati Mhase Patil IAS, Managing Director of Film City. Mhase stated that action had already been initiated and that complete details would be furnished by Santosh Khamkar, Studio Manager of Filmcity. However, despite repeated follow-ups, no details were shared by Khamkar. When contacted again through WhatsApp, Mhase once again assured this correspondent that Khamkar would provide the necessary information. Nearly two days have passed, yet neither any official response nor details of the alleged action taken have been furnished.
The continued silence from Santosh Khamkar despite clear directions from the Managing Director has raised further questions over administrative accountability and the functioning of the Filmcity management. The episode has also triggered speculation within official circles over whether the Studio Manager enjoys unchecked authority to the extent that even directions issued by the Managing Director are allegedly being ignored without consequence.
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