Cinema VinesActor Chiyaan Vikram has found himself at the centre of a wildlife controversy after a reel showing him embracing a Lar Gibbon went viral on social media. The clip, which was initially celebrated as a charming moment between the star and the primate, sparked questions about the legality of keeping such an exotic animal in India. In response to the backlash, Vikram removed the video from his Instagram account.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has now stepped in to investigate the matter. Officials will examine the animal’s history, including its ownership and the paperwork required for its import and transport. The Lar Gibbon, a wild primate native to Southeast Asia, is listed under Appendix I of CITES and Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, making its possession highly regulated and subject to strict import laws.
According to a report by the Free Press Journal, the gibbon belongs to CK Ranganathan, the founder and chairman of CavinKare and the father of Manu Ranjith, who is married to Vikram’s daughter Akshita. The video was reportedly filmed at Ranganathan’s farmhouse on the East Coast Road, but the legality of the animal’s ownership and the conditions under which it was kept are now under scrutiny by wildlife authorities.
While the investigation unfolds, Vikram’s upcoming projects remain on track. He is set to star in an action thriller and will portray a cook in Anand Shankar’s next film, marking a reunion with the director after their 2016 collaboration on Iru Mugan. The new film is produced by Sathya Jyothi Films and features music by Santhosh Narayanan.
The incident highlights the growing public sensitivity around wildlife conservation and the responsibilities of private owners in India. As authorities probe the case, the public will be watching closely to see how the law balances individual ownership with the protection of endangered species.
