Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Periyar Tiger Reserve denies permission for Mohanlal film shoot
A famous Indian actor named Mohanlal wanted to shoot a movie in a special forest in Kerala called the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
The movie is called 'Athimanoharam', and the director asked for permission to film at two places, Pamba and Sannidhanam.
These places are inside a protected forest where wild animals live, and they are also near a famous temple called Sabarimala.
Forest officials told the court that the law does not allow commercial movies to be filmed inside wildlife sanctuaries or tiger reserves.
Even though some of the land was given to the temple board for pilgrims, it is still officially forest land.
A court in Kerala heard the case and decided the request based on what the forest officials said.
The forest officer said filming could happen at some other specific spots from August 18 to 28, if fees are paid and an agreement is signed.
The minister in charge of temples said regular movies are not allowed at Sabarimala, only devotional films about Lord Ayyappa.
So the permission for the Mohanlal movie shoot was not granted.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve deputy director told the Kerala High Court that permission cannot be granted to shoot the Mohanlal-starrer film 'Athimanoharam' at Pamba and Sannidhanam.
Judicial and government orders prohibit shooting commercial movies or television serials within wildlife sanctuaries, national parks or tiger reserves.
The areas in question are part of the sanctuary and have been leased or diverted to the Travancore Devaswom Board for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, but their legal status as forest land remains unchanged.
The Divisional Forest Officer said shooting could be permitted at specific locations from August 18 to 28 subject to payment of prescribed fees and execution of an agreement.
Kerala Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said regular film shooting is not allowed at Sabarimala, with permission given only for devotional films related to Lord Ayyappa.
- Who
- Malayalam film director Tharun Moorthi, who sought permission to shoot 'Athimanoharam' starring Mohanlal; the Periyar Tiger Reserve deputy director, the Divisional Forest Officer, Kerala Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, and a Kerala High Court bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar.
- What
- The Kerala High Court disposed of a plea after the Periyar Tiger Reserve said permission cannot be granted to shoot the Mohanlal-starrer film at Pamba and Sannidhanam.
- When
- August 17 (Monday); the proposed shooting window was August 18-28.
- Where
- Kerala High Court, Kochi; Pamba and Sannidhanam in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala.
- Why
- Judicial and government orders prohibit commercial film shooting in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves, and Sabarimala policy allows only devotional films.
Proponents of the Shoot
Forest and Temple Authorities
Permission to shoot at Pamba and Sannidhanam
Proponents of the Shoot
Director Tharun Moorthi sought permission to shoot the Mohanlal-starrer 'Athimanoharam' at Pamba and Sannidhanam and asked the forest authorities to decide his request expeditiously.
Forest and Temple Authorities
The Periyar Tiger Reserve deputy director said permission cannot be granted because judicial and government orders prohibit commercial film shooting within wildlife sanctuaries, national parks or tiger reserves.
Scope of permitted shooting
Proponents of the Shoot
The Divisional Forest Officer said shooting can be permitted at specific locations from August 18 to 28 subject to payment of prescribed fees and execution of an agreement with the Forest and Wildlife Department.
Forest and Temple Authorities
The deputy director said the areas mentioned in the application form part of the sanctuary, and their legal status as forest land remains unchanged despite being leased or diverted to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Sabarimala shooting policy
Proponents of the Shoot
The film team sought to shoot a regular commercial film in the Sabarimala area.
Forest and Temple Authorities
Kerala Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said regular film shooting is not allowed at Sabarimala; permission is given only for devotional and mythological films related to Lord Ayyappa.
- Film
- Athimanoharam
- Lead actor
- Mohanlal
- Director
- Tharun Moorthi
- Requested locations
- Pamba and Sannidhanam (Sabarimala)
- Refusing authority
- Periyar Tiger Reserve (Deputy Director)
- Reason for refusal
- Commercial film shooting prohibited in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves
- Proposed shooting window
- August 18-28
- Court
- Kerala High Court (Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar)