Former CM to protest building of Ramgadh resort on Woodland where Bollywood blockbuster Sholay was shot 35 years ago
Former CM to protest building of Ramgadh resort on Woodland where Bollywood blockbuster Sholay was shot 35 years ago Gabbar gets fresh with Basanti in Sholay.
The Ramgadh Resort issue is all set to take a full-blown political turn.
Former chief minister and JD (S) working president H D Kumaraswamy has vowed to oppose the ongoing construction of a Sholay-themed resort on the stretch of woodland where the Bollywood blockbuster was shot 35 years ago.
Old connection
Kumaraswamy, who was an MLA from Ramangara, is now an MP representing Bangalore Rural, which includes the site where the resort is being developed.
Kumraswamy's father and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is known for his struggle against private developers eying government land.
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It is his opposition to the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway that continues to give nightmares to Ashok Kheny, who is building the highway.
Gowda has also thrown a roadblock on the path of the Bellary Reddys who plan to develop an airport after acquiring farmland in the area.
If Kumaraswamy enters the fray with the same spirit, it is certain that Anantara Hospitality, the company developing the resort, would find the going really tough.
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With archrival BJP coming out in support of Anantara, the issue may prove too provocative for Kumaraswamy to leave alone.
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"I really didn't know about this. It appears to be a deep conspiracy. We have to protect the land at any cost," he said.
'Such a shame'
Condemning the assault on forest officials by the goons allegedly employed by the resort owners, he said it was shame that the BJP government was abetting land grabbers.
"I reach Bangalore on Wednesday. I will visit the spot on Thursday before chalking out the plan of action to launch a protest," Kumaraswamy said.
Following Kumaraswamy's interest in the issue, K Raju, JD (S) MLA representing Ramanagar, called on forest officials for details on the issue.
"The MLA called me and sought details in the case," said Thimmarayappa, the range forest officer. "I will meet him with all relevant files on Wednesday."
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| The land where Sholay was filmed with Amjad Khan playing the villain Gabbar is now being turned into a theme-resort by Anantara Hospitality. |
In the meantime, Anantara Hospitality, armed with an injunction order of the High Court, speeded up construction work.
"Our aim is to finish the work as quickly as possible because every passing day adds to our problems," said G Ravishankar, managing director, Anantara Hospitality.
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"We are going ahead with our plans and doing it within the ambit of law. We don't want any more complications."
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