Maneka Gandhi advocates against depiction of animal cruelty in films, says viewers get influenced by movies

Mumbai: Animals rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi urged film-makers and actors against depiction of animal cruelty in movies, saying that since people are heavily influenced by films, they consider the act as justified.

The animal rights activist had earlier announced in a press conference that the second edition of 'CineKind Awards' will be presented on October 4.

Launched by the Film Federation of India (FFI) and People for Animals (PFA) last year, the CineKind is a dedicated platform celebrating kindness in cinema in general, with a focus on compassion towards animals.

Speaking to IANS, Maneka Gandhi said that she has involved Bollywood actors in the initiative as "people tend to follow them".

When asked about animal cruelty during film shoots, Gandhi said: "It used to happen during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Later, the government and I worked together to enact a law, requiring that anyone engaging in such practices or breaking the law must present their film before the Animal Welfare Board of India. This began in the year 2000, and after that, the film industry reformed itself very rigorously. Following those reforms, very few films—practically negligible—remain, that depict or inflict cruelty on animals."

"In fact, when you watch a film now, it has to state on screen: 'No animal was hurt during the shooting of this film.' Additionally, illegal acts such as keeping birds in cages, throwing animals from heights, and similar practices have vanished. Moving forward, things can only improve," she added.

Maneka Gandhi asserted that no film can break the law now.

"The Censor Board has also become very vigilant...Still there are one or two films that somehow slip through where cruelty is inflicted on an animal. That is unacceptable because the question is not just what was done to a single animal—the real issue is that films completely influence and change public attitude. When people see a major filmstar keeping a bird caged, everyone starts doing it. If someone abuses an animal, viewers assume it is justified. That is why it must not be done," she stated.

Further, the animal rights activist urged actors who advocate for animal rights to become vegan themselves, saying: "We can only authentically stand for who and what we truly are".

Meanwhile, Maneka Gandhi also urged for a ban on the consumption of restricted animals, especially in Nagaland.

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