It’s a licensed vehicle: Raveena on tiger video row

Actor Raveena Tandon found herself in the midst of a controversy over a video she shot during a safari at the Satpura Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh). It has been alleged that during Tandon’s visit to the reserve on November 22, her vehicle went very close to a tiger and even blocked its path. A probe has been initiated in the matter, and the vehicle driver and officials on duty there will be served a notice, reports PTI.

Clearing the air, the actor tweeted on Wednesday that the vehicle she was in is a Forest Department licensed vehicle. She went on to say that she was accompanied by guides and drivers “who are trained to know their boundaries and legalities”.

She also said the tigress in question is known to charge at vehicles: “Luckily for us, we did not take any sudden action, but sat quiet and watched the tigress, move on. We were on the tourism path, which mostly these tigers cross. And Katy the tigress in this video as well is habituated to coming close to vehicles and snarling (sic).”

A source tells us on the condition of anonymity that the actor and her daughter, Rasha, were not bothering the animal. “The tigress walked up to the vehicle, no one made any noise. In fact, the driver was trying to move away from Katy’s path, as is clearly visible in the video. Why would any of the parties have shared videos and photos online, if they were guilty? Why would they invite trouble?”

No notice has been served to Tandon yet. “There can be no probe or notice on tourists in the jeep as it’s not their fault,” the source adds.

Rishabh Suri