Australian filmmaker David Bradbury, renowned for his documentaries on anti-nuclear protests in Tamil Nadu, found himself in a tough spot during a recent trip to India. Upon landing at Chennai airport on September 11th, he was detained by immigration officials and subsequently deported to Thailand. Meanwhile, his two children, Nakeita (21) and Omar (14), were allowed to continue their trip without him. 😮
The Mystery Behind the Detention 🧐
Bradbury’s detention is suspected to be related to his 2012 documentary on the Kudankulam nuclear plant protests, but no official reason has been provided. 🚫🎥 The filmmaker had planned this journey as a tribute to his late partner, Treena Lenthall, but ended up being held for 24 hours and then forced to leave the country without an explanation. 😔
Children’s Journey Through India 🇮🇳
Despite their father’s deportation, Nakeita and Omar decided to go ahead with their trip. Traveling through places like Puducherry, Salem, Kerala, and Varanasi, the siblings paid tribute to their mother through traditional Hindu rites. 🙏 They relied heavily on Google Maps and help from locals, though they did encounter a few bumps along the way, from being overcharged at petrol stations to navigating tricky toll gates. 🛣️💸
A Bittersweet Ending 💔
After wrapping up their two-week journey, the siblings finally reunited with their father in Milan on Wednesday. While Indian officials have promised to “look into the matter,” no further details have been released. 🛬
This unexpected twist adds another chapter to Bradbury’s long history of challenging topics, but it left his family facing an unforgettable and complex adventure in India.