Bigg Boss Kannada 12 to shut down owing to violations of environmental regulations

Kichcha Sudeep

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has ordered the immediate closure of the studio premises hosting the Kannada reality show Bigg Boss at Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, citing serious violations of environmental regulations. The Board issued a notice dated October 6 to Vels Studios and Entertainment Private Limited (Jolly Wood Studios & Adventures), directing that all activities at the site be stopped with immediate effect.

Bigg Boss Kannada studio gets official notice of closure

In the official communication, the Board stated, "The said premises are being used for large-scale entertainment and studio operations without obtaining the required Consent for establishment and Consent for Operation under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981."

The notice added, "In view of the violations observed, you are hereby directed to close down the operations with immediate effect and to furnish an explanation to this office within the stipulated period."

Copies of the closure order have also been sent to the Deputy Commissioner, Ramanagara District, the Managing Director of BESCOM, and the Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer (Electrical), Ramanagara Taluk, seeking their coordination in enforcing the directive.

The notice further cautioned that "failure to comply with this order will attract penal action under relevant environmental laws." The Bigg Boss Kannada edition, hosted by actor Kichcha Sudeep, has been filmed in a custom-built set at Bidadi for several years. The show, among the state's most-watched television programmes, is known for its elaborate production scale and high viewer engagement.

About the violations

According to a report by NDTV, untreated wastewater from the premises was being discharged outside the site, causing environmental contamination. However, the production team of the reality show claimed to have installed a 250 KLD-capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). But inspectors found that the facility lacked proper internal drainage connections and that the STP units were lying idle and uncommissioned. Reportedly, the wastewater was being released openly without any form of treatment, posing a serious threat to the surrounding ecosystem. The report also revealed poor waste management practices.