Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Heavy Metal Film Explores Kodaikanal Mercury Contamination Controversy
A new movie called Heavy Metal is being planned.
It is based on journalist Ameer Shahul’s book about mercury pollution in Kodaikanal.
A thermometer factory was moved there from New York in 1983.
The factory was owned by Hindustan Unilever Limited.
It closed in 2001 after environmental violations.
Workers and local people said mercury had harmed employees.
Greenpeace and other groups supported a long legal and public campaign.
About 600 former workers eventually received an undisclosed settlement.
The movie will show both the corporate conflict and the effects on people.
Abundantia Entertainment and Almighty Motion Picture are developing Heavy Metal, an investigative thriller.
The film adapts Ameer Shahul’s 2023 book, Heavy Metal: How a Global Corporation Poisoned Kodaikanal.
The story centers on mercury contamination linked to a thermometer plant in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.
The plant, owned by Hindustan Unilever Limited, opened after being relocated from New York in 1983 and shut in 2001.
Casting is underway, while the director and further project details have not yet been announced.
- Who
- Abundantia Entertainment, Almighty Motion Picture, journalist Ameer Shahul, Hindustan Unilever Limited, former workers, and local residents are connected to the story.
- What
- A feature film titled Heavy Metal is being developed about the Kodaikanal mercury contamination controversy.
- When
- The plant was relocated in 1983 and shut down in 2001; the film is slated to begin production soon, with casting underway.
- Where
- Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India; the plant was originally relocated from New York.
- Why
- The film adapts Shahul’s investigative book and examines the alleged environmental contamination, corporate conflict, and human consequences.
- Film title
- Heavy Metal
- Production companies
- Abundantia Entertainment and Almighty Motion Picture
- Source material
- Ameer Shahul’s 2023 book, Heavy Metal: How a Global Corporation Poisoned Kodaikanal
- Plant owner
- Hindustan Unilever Limited
- Plant history
- A dismantled mercury thermometer plant was relocated from New York to Kodaikanal in 1983 and shut down in 2001.
- Settlement
- An undisclosed settlement was reached for roughly 600 former workers.
- Current status
- Principal casting is underway, and the film is slated to go on floors soon.