An Australian Filmmaker named David Bradbury was detained and deported for former deeds

Oscar-nominated Australian documentary filmmaker David Bradbury was detained and deported from India upon his arrival at Chennai Airport

David Bradberry was Travelling with his children, Nakeita (21) and Omar (14), Bradbury had planned a two-week visit to India following the recent death of his wife. The 73-year-old filmmaker was detained for 24 hours before being deported to Thailand, where the family had travelled from. His children, however, were permitted to continue their trip in India, a separation that undoubtedly caused them distress. Bradbury was held in poor conditions and denied access to his medication, which led him to relieve himself in a paper cup as his request to use the toilet was turned down. He speculated that his detention was associated with his 2012 visit to Tamil Nadu, where he documented protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

During that trip, David Bradbury had faced harassment and detention while filming the local fishing community’s fears regarding the plant’s potential risks, drawing parallels to the Fukushima disaster. Bradbury had been critical of the Indian government’s decision to build nuclear reactors in the region, deeming it irresponsible. He documented his experiences in an article criticizing the plant’s dangers. Despite the distressing circumstances, David Bradbury encouraged his children to continue their journey through India. His daughter, Nakeita, expressed frustration with the situation, noting that her father was issued a visa, and there was no apparent reason for the ordeal. Throughout the experience, Bradbury remained proud of his children’s resilience, though disappointed that he could not join them on their planned travels.