Mysuru: Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah recently sparked up a controversy after she uploaded a photo of herself inside the Durbar Hall of the Mysore Palace on Facebook.
For a long time, there has been a ban on taking photos inside the Palace (although there is still some confusion surrounding the ban) and those carrying cameras are made to hand them over before entering the ancient building. Even on special occasions, media personnel are required to obtain a special pass in order to take photographs of the ceremonies and rituals inside the Durbar Hall.
Some of the actress’ fans saw the photo and immediately raised the question as to how Subbaiah was allowed to take photos inside the Palace.
It can be recalled that in 2016, a pre-wedding photo shoot of a couple at the Palace stirred up controversy and an inquiry into the matter was also ordered. The probe is yet to reach a conclusion. Sources have clarified that though taking photos inside the Palace is allowed, the pre-wedding photo shoot is considered a violation as it was an elaborate setup.
In Subbaiah’s case, the authorities said that although they were not sure how she managed to enter the Durbar Hall and take photos without their knowledge, the actress had not violated any rules as visitors are allowed to take photos inside the Durbar Hall and Kalyana Mantap. Shootings for film and serials are, however, not allowed inside the Palace. They also added that photography is no longer prohibited as most of the visitors use their mobile phones to take photos.
A clarification issued by the Deputy Director of the Mysuru Palace Board has stated that photography without flash is allowed in all places inside the Palace where the tourists are permitted to enter. The press note also added that, as discussed in a meeting on March 1, 2018, visitors would be allowed to take photos inside the Palace with their mobile phones or cameras without a flash.
Sources informed that the decision to ban filming inside the Palace was taken after the Kannada movie “Mayura”. They explained that this was because the use of heavy equipment during the shooting had damaged the edges of the walls, pillars and the floor of the Palace.
Meanwhile, Subbaiah has clarified that the photo she had uploaded was not from a photo shoot but, was a casual tourist photo. “I visited the Palace as a tourist and got a photo clicked just like the other tourists,” she said.
