24 January,2026 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Team of Pallichattambi
Actor Tovino Thomas's upcoming Malayalam film Pallichattambi has landed in controversy over the alleged dumping of waste material from the film set into a river. A set was constructed near the Malankara Reservoir for the shoot. After filming was completed, the set was dismantled, and the waste was reportedly dumped along the banks of the reservoir.
According to a report by Reporter, the incident occurred at Kudayathoor in Idukki district, where the film set was constructed. Locals noticed waste lying near the water body and raised a complaint, alleging that debris from the shoot had been dumped into the river. Visuals of the waste near the reservoir soon went viral on social media.
Idukki, known for its green hills and abundant water resources, is a popular film-shooting destination. However, there has been growing concern over debris from film shoots littering the scenic district.
The Malankara Reservoir, part of the Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP), is a major source of drinking water for lakhs of people in the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha regions. Reports claim that tonnes of shooting-related waste- including asbestos sheets, cement debris, thermocol, gypsum, plastic, and iron - were dumped along its banks. There are also allegations that some of the waste had earlier been set on fire.
The Kudayathoor Panchayat took up the complaints by locals and conducted an inspection. Upon learning who was responsible for the debris, the panchayat imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the producers of Pallichattambi. The move was aimed at sending a strong message about protecting nature and public spaces.
After receiving the order, the Pallichattambi team swung into action and cleared the waste from the area.
Following the order, the film's producer issued a clarification. They stated that they had issued a contract to clear the debris after the shoot. According to them, the issue occurred due to a lapse on the contractor's part. They added that they took responsibility and began removing the waste immediately after the matter was raised. The production team initiated the cleanup using heavy machinery, and the debris was gradually cleared from the riverbank.
