Suriya’s 2D Entertainment is under investigation by Nilgiris police for employing 155 Russian tourists and some Afghan students without the required work permits in a film directed by Karthik Subbaraj in Ooty.
Employment without Work Visa
According to immigration regulations, only individuals on business or work visas can take on paid employment there. Reports have confirmed that the agent who arranged the foreign nationals and the film’s executive producer have appeared before local authorities for questioning.
The film, currently being shot in Ooty, is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and works at the Nawanagar Palace in Aramby Ridge. The shoot, which has been ongoing for over 20 days, is expected to conclude in the coming days. It is claimed that 155 Russian nationals were granted tourist visas on the 27th to participate in a film shoot. They are currently filming at three well-known private hotels in Ooty.
Typically, when foreigners stay in Ooty, hotel management must notify both the local police station and the district superintendent of police (SP) office. However, the hotels involved have not provided the required details about the Russian nationals.
Tourists Sent Back
The filming was paused last week after actor Suriya sustained an injury. Subsequently, 42 of the 155 Russians returned to Russia.
Currently, 113 Russians remain in Ooty. The Nilgiris District Special Division Police have issued notices to the involved hotels, demanding explanations for the lack of proper reporting of the Russian nationals to the district SP office. This scrutiny arises from foreign nationals not being permitted to enter on tourist visas and participate in film shoots. Following police requests for the film crew to appear for questioning over the past few days, a team met with police officials on 14 August 2024 and reportedly explained.
A crew member, speaking anonymously to TOI stated, “We hired the foreign nationals through a well-regarded agent who has previously arranged for foreigners in other films. Many of these foreigners have previously worked in movies and have been residing in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The agent was unaware of the strict enforcement of these rules, as they had not been strictly applied before.”
The film, tentatively titled “Suriya 44”, is a joint production of Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Creations and actor Suriya’s 2D Entertainment.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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