28 December,2010 06:35 AM IST | | A Correspondent
A documentary produced and directed by journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta lays bare environmental and livelihood issues plaguing the Bellary belt of Karnataka and Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh, which have been ravaged by the powerful mining mafia.
"The documentary 'Blood and Iron', running a little over two hours, highlights the money and greed of the mining mafia in the area. It also depicts the influence of local politics on the powerful mining lobby in these two regions," said Thakurta. It makes a chilling point about the nexus among criminals, businessmen and politicians that drives, even sustains, illegal mining.
The documentary was shot at various locations in Karnataka, including areas in and around the Bellary-Hospet region and Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh including Hyderabad and New Delhi.
The documentary was publicly screened at venues in Bangalore between December 10 and December 13. A screening has been scheduled for January 6 next year at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Private screenings are also taking place at Bellary and other places in Karnataka and also at Anathapur and other locations in Andhra Pradesh.
