It was pointed out that people did not like to see cruelty, and many Indians do not visit Spain due to its gory bullfights.
Animals in Films
No doubt, direct visible cruelty to animals draws attention and objections, but cruelty can also be promoted subtly like if an actor wears a rabbit fur cap, e.g. Sara Zamana.
There are quite a few objectionable programmes presented on TV in India. One called Iss jungle sé mujhe bachao is a copy of the American programme I am a celebrity, get me out of here. This programme, shot in the Taman Negara rainforest of Malaysia had animals like snakes, rats, scorpions, bugs, frogs, lizards, used in different challenges.
There are other reality shows like Dadagiri on UTV Bindaas channel, Khatron ke Khiladi on Colors channel (South Africa), and Roadies on MTV channel (Australia) which use animals in most of their challenges. The wild animals used in these programmes are caught from forest areas and are subjected to cruelty during capture and transport. They are handled inhumanely, defanged, tranquilized, etc. so that no “mishap” occurs during the programme. Capturing these animals from the wild is in itself extremely cruel. Nothing can be worse than keeping them in captivity, and training them is torture.
• Such programmes not only violate Indian laws but they also influence viewers to try some dangerous stunts which could prove fatal. For example, many unfortunate deaths of children were reported in 1997 due to the famous television programme Shaktimaan (Super hero). Children had jumped off a building or set themselves on fire, thinking that Shaktimaan would come and save them.
Animal Actors
Not only dogs, but directors’ demands for other creatures in films have all been met – 500 rats for 2000 Hindi film Josh, and cockroaches for Hit ads.
The sorry state of the Sholay horse Superman shocked the Mumbai High Court in April 2012. In human years he is 95 and is poor shape and uncared for since he can no longer work for his supplier for Bollywood shoots.
In September 2021 a horse was involved in a head-on collision and died during the shooting of the film Ponniyin Selvan in Telangana.
“In this regard, it is stated that few Film production companies are increasingly using technology that also upholds animal welfare. Between 2016 and 2020 majority of the films sought permission to show animals as Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). Many Indian films such as Tanhaji, Mohenjodaro, Krrish, Makkhi and Maghadeera have used computer-generated animals in the film.”
Despite 3D computer generated animals that could be effectively and easily used in films, by 2024 animal advisors and consultants were promoting live animals. They had a huge network of suppliers, trainers, permission agents and breeders. They would discuss and explain to film directors which animals would be suited to the role required, the sequences that could be shot, necessary approval from the AWBI, etc. During 2022-23 the AWBI processed and issued pre-shoot permission to 656 films, ad-films & serials, out of 876; and post-shoot certificate (NOC) to 1,102 films, ad-films & serials out of 1,356.
Animals and birds are hired for a specific number of days and the sequences in which they are required during the film are all shot during that period. The per day charges (e.g. dogs cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000) approval fees and other costs like re-takes are borne by the film makers.
The sad part of it is that each and every animal or bird that performs has been trained just like in circuses using torture, hunger, fear.
Reactions
One such film was Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara which we were informed included bull-fighting. Months prior to completion of the film, BWC approached the producer with a request to delete the scenes. It was pointed out that people did not like to see such cruelty and in fact many Indians do not visit Spain due to its gory bull-fights. No reply was received, but when in July 2011 the movie was released, we were pleased that BWC’s request had been heeded and no bull-fights were included although bulls were shown running through crowds.
In January 2011 Dadagiri season 4 on UTV Bindass declared: “The reality show will test not only physical but also mental agility and sharpness of the contestants. Watch the teams perform tasks like holding a crab while they struggle to deposit it on the other end of the pit on one elbow and plucking out goat’s eyeballs to fetch a five rupee coin from inside of a goat’s intestine!”
The reaction to the barbaric cruelty depicted in the promo and in the first episode telecast on 15th January was shock and anger. Beauty Without Cruelty was flooded with complaints. In turn, BWC immediately wrote to UTV Bindass channel and the Government pointing out that The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 had been violated. BWC also led a strong protest on Facebook and on e-mail. Consequently, “comments” on the Dadagiri season 4 website were closed.
BWC had hoped that our successful protest would be a deterrent to other film makers and that they would abandon depicting cruelty to animals in their programmes. Over and above which BWC did not imagine that any of the GenX Entertainment shows telecast on UTV Bindass would again have any thing to do with animals – dead or alive. But, unfortunately, they did: Beg, Borrow, Steal, Woof! episodes had a dog-actor, which apart from the fact had had its tail docked, was so exhausted that it was seen panting with its tongue hanging out throughout. BWC wrote UTV that simply stating “no animals were harmed during filming of the show” can not in this case absolve them of the cruelty inflicted upon the dog, and requested that cruelty to animals on their shows is stopped immediately. Their reply stated that “We have the necessary approval from the Animal Welfare Board for the dog used in the shoot of Beg Borrow Steal.” It’s sad that once again the AWBI failed in safeguarding an animal and allowed the film industry to exploit it. BWC can’t help but wonder what conniving takes place.
In July 2011 Colors channel broadcast the programme Khatron Ke Khiladi, Torchaar 4, Episode 13, Part 4 depicting a poor crocodile being subjected to cruelty. It was restricted in a glass box no bigger than itself, had its mouth tied, and contestants were tugging and pulling at its tail. BWC immediately complained to the Indian Broadcasting Federation – their action is awaited. Following this, BWC came across another episode in which a teased and growling cheetah/leopard was repeatedly released from a cage and made to chase an animal which had been tied to a long rope and was dragged by two contestants who were running – just like live bait. Moreover, a serious problem was reported on the sets when the contestants were made to snatch the meat from the mouth of a lion. The handler/trainer himself got terrified because the furious lion jumped seven feet high and ripped the cage apart. Citing safety, the stunt was deleted. A letter has been written by BWC to the Ministry of Environment & Forests requesting that action should be taken to stop Khatron Ke Khiladi being broadcast because it attracts the provisions laid down in both the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Another complaint has also been sent to the Indian Broadcasting Federation saying it does not matter where in the world the cruelty occurred, the fact is that such cruelty did occur and the films are being telecast in India violating these Acts as well as Rule 6 of the Programme & Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994.
In April 2012, a Shanti Nilayam episode on Jaya TV (Tamil) showed a mouse in a cage with suggestions as to how it should be killed. A lady said it should be put in a gunny sack and crushed to death. Another felt that creatures like mice deserve no mercy since they cause harm to other lives. Shockingly, the poor mouse was compared to the terrorist Kasab. BWC wrote to the head of Jaya TV requesting that they put specific rules in place with regard to airing cruelty to animals.
Belly of the Tantra was completed in 2012 but since it was not passed by the AWBI, the Censor Board objected to it being screened in India. However, it did premiere in India in June 2014. The director was quoted: “The Censor Board wanted visuals of frontal nudity and animal killings removed. I was firm about not letting them go.” BWC has written to the AWBI to find out the action taken by them and its status. Their reply: “This is a documentary with a very strong anti-sacrifice message. Nothing has been staged.”
BWC also asked the AWBI about another film entitled Finding Fanny – a poster showed the actress with a beheaded chicken in one hand and a bloody knife in the other. Their reply in July 2014 stated: “We gave the pre-shoot permission last year. We have not cleared the film since they have not applied. We will send a letter to the Mumbai RO and CBFC.” We understand it was released about a month later with the scene intact. BWC then got to know that there exists an authorised agent who liaises between the AWBI and film makers, and that after multiple refusals, the AWBI cleared the film on being furnished bills for a toy ‘dead cat’ and chicken purchased from a slaughter house (to prove the film makers had not killed it) along with a veterinarian’s certificate. Does it point to connivance? Is it difficult to get bills? If the cat was a toy for which a bill was shown, why was a veterinarian’s certificate needed? Do people who eat chickens kill them?
Meanwhile in mid-2012 the Central Board of Film Certification relented by tightening rules and plugging loopholes. Next, the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) issued an Advisory on Depiction of Animals/Wildlife in Television Programmes to TV channels “not to produce, support the production of, purchase and broadcast content that is in any way harmful to the health and well being, as well as the depiction, or any animal or species”. Click here to read the entire advisory.
In 2023 Elephant Whisperers won the Oscar. The spring 1998 issue of Compassionate Friend had carried an article entitled “A performing Circus within a Sanctuary”. A persistent follow-up by BWC eventually resulted in The Government of India ordering the illegal Elephant Show at Madumalai Sanctuary to be stoppe. This is the very same elephant camp where Elephant Whisperers was made. The Hindu article “Theppakadu camp: the last refuge for elephants destined to captivity” clearly states “since the camp was started 51 calves have been born with 32 having been raised and given to temples. Interestingly, not only elephants have been exploited here, but humans too: as things turned out the two elephant caretakers Bellie and Bomman of the documentary legally claimed to have been exploited and not paid as per promises given by the film makers.
For the record other films produced in India featuring elephants are Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Main aur Mera Haathi (1981), Jumbo (2008) and Junglee (2019).
Page last updated on 07/01/25