Aishwarya Rai

Revisiting the past is of course a hazardous task involving a plethora of risk factors. Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowarikar must be feeling the same while working on his new mega historical venture “Jodha-Akbar”. After being alleged by Sri Rajput Karni Sena of ‘tempering with historical facts’, Gowarikar is now challenged by the animal rights activists.

Gowarikar’s “Jodha-Akbar” is a historical saga based on based on lives of Akbar and Jodha Bai. The shooting of this Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai starrer film is going on in Rajasthan since last fortnight. ‘Pashu Krurta Nivaran Samiti’ (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), a semi-government body has accused the maker of the film with violation of cruelty against animals during the shooting.

The animal rights activists have alleged Gowarikar of using over 80 elephants, 100 horses and 55 camels for the shooting of his film in and around Jaipur. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has raised the issue whether Gowarikar took permission from National Board for Animal Welfare for using the animals in this shooting.

The Samiti alleged that large numbers of animals were exposed to inhospitable situation. if caught on the wrong side of the law, then Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 can be invoked, which would mean real trouble for the filmmaker.