Archive · 12 Nov 2025
22 Indian Filmmakers Pledge to End Elephant Use in Productions
Imagine elephants in movies or shows.
Sometimes, to make them do tricks, people might be mean to them or keep them in small spaces when they're not working.
A group called PETA India wants to stop this because elephants are smart and social animals who need to be with their families and roam free.
So, they asked filmmakers to sign a promise, called the Elephant Freedom Pledge, not to use real elephants anymore.
Many famous filmmakers and companies agreed!
Instead of real elephants, they will use special computer effects or cool robot elephants that look real.
This way, the elephants stay safe and happy in nature, and the movies can still be made.
Some filmmakers have already been praised for using these kind methods before.
22 Indian production houses and content creators have signed the Elephant Freedom Pledge.
The pledge commits to stopping the use of live elephants in films, television, and advertisements.
PETA India informed the industry that elephants endure abusive training and confinement when used for media.
Alternatives such as CGI, visual effects, and mechanical elephants are being promoted.
Filmmakers like Pooja Bhatt and Richie Mehta have previously been recognized for cruelty-free production practices.
- Who
- 22 production houses and content creators, including those associated with John Abraham, Farah Khan, and Pooja Bhatt, and PETA India
- What
- Pledged to stop using live elephants in films, television, advertisements, and other media projects.
- When
- Pledged following an appeal from PETA India.
- Where
- India (entertainment industry)
- Why
- To prevent the abuse, abusive training, and confinement of elephants used in entertainment.
Animal Welfare Advocates
Industry Practices (Implied)
Use of Live Elephants
Animal Welfare Advocates
Live elephants in entertainment suffer from forced separation, abusive training, and confinement, violating their natural behaviors and well-being.
Industry Practices (Implied)
The current practices, while not explicitly defended, are being replaced by alternatives due to welfare concerns raised by advocates.
Alternatives to Live Animals
Animal Welfare Advocates
Computer-generated imagery (CGI), visual effects, and mechanical elephants are effective and ethical alternatives that should be widely adopted.
Industry Practices (Implied)
The industry is shifting towards these alternatives as evidenced by the 22 production houses signing the pledge.
- Number of Signatories
- 22 production houses and content creators
- Pledge Name
- Elephant Freedom Pledge
- Organization Leading Pledge
- PETA India
- Advocated Alternatives
- CGI, visual effects, mechanical elephants
- Previous Recognition
- Pooja Bhatt (Compassionate Film Production Company Award), Richie Mehta (Tech, Not Terror Award)