Mersal yet to receive Animal board’s NOC

While the AWBI website shows ‘Not approved’ for Mersal, the details revolve around use of species like white python, pigeon, cobra, tiger and cat, which were shot in Thailand for use in the film. 

Observing that the authorised representative of the applicant was informed during the hearing on October 4, 2017, to send all the animal scenes in one CD, an AWBI official said this was not done. 

Also, the pigeons and other birds’ scenes did not look like Computer Graphics and the applicant was informed to provide the required documents to support the claim of CG making and for verification through an expert. The same is yet to be received. 

“The snake which has been used is stated to be having a scientific name ‘Ophiophagus hannah’, the King Cobra. But the snake shown in the CD is a spectacled Cobra and not King Cobra,” the official said, adding, that NOC will be given in a day, if the members are convinced.