A growing number of Bollywood actors and filmmakers are calling for an end to the use of live elephants in films, advocating for CGI and robotic alternatives to avoid cruelty. The campaign, supported by Peta India, includes stars such as John Abraham, Shriya Saran, Richa Chadha, Farah Khan, Dia Mirza, and Pooja Bhatt.
The initiative promotes computer-generated imagery, visual effects, and life-sized robotic elephants instead of captive animals. According to Peta India, 24 film and production companies have signed its 'Elephant Freedom Pledge' since its launch in June 2025.
Peta India began contacting film companies last year to highlight the treatment of captive elephants used in entertainment, alleging they are separated from families, kept chained, and controlled with weapons. John Abraham stated: 'Films should be fun for everyone, elephants included. With today's technology, we can bring elephants to life beautifully through CGI and mechanical artistry, without confinement or cruelty.'
Elephants have long featured in Indian cinema, notably in the 1971 blockbuster Haathi Mere Saathi. The Animal Welfare Board of India issued a 2021 advisory urging producers to prioritise CGI and animatronics over live animals to prevent 'unnecessary pain and suffering'. It noted that animals are often transported long distances, exposed to crowds and bright lights, and forced to perform unnatural actions.
India has more than 2,600 captive elephants, many used for tourism, entertainment, and temple ceremonies. Peta India cited productions like Richie Mehta's 2024 miniseries Poacher and films Tanhaji (2020) and Krrish (2006) as examples of effective CGI use. However, some filmmakers still prefer live animals; the makers of the forthcoming Malayalam film Kattalan chose real elephants for 'genuine visuals and organic performances'. Actor Raj Tirandasu described filming with them as 'honestly scary at times'.
