Mani Ratnam, the director who likes to showcase controversial and contemporary topics in his movies is currently in the news for the wrong reasons. Reportedly the director was shooting his next film Ponniyin Selvan when a horse died, the reasons being unknown.
Assumptions are floating that the horse was dehydrated and fully exhausted but still it was forced to work for a war scene which included strenuous physical activity. As the information broke out Abdullapurmet Police, Hyderabad lodged an FIR against the production house, Madras Talkies and its owner, Mani Ratnam himself. The owner of the horse has also been included in the FIR as one of the accused causing the death of the horse.
Animal care organisations like PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) India and the Animal Welfare Board were also super active in the matter and filed a complaint and also asked for an enquiry. Under Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960, and Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 complaints were registered by PETA at Hyderabad Police Station.
PETA in its statement blamed the makers for intentionally causing the death of the horse. The statement was, “In the age of computer-generated imagery (CGI), production companies have no excuse for forcing exhausted horses to play at war until one of them drops dead.”
Ponniyin Selvan’s shooting was going at a rapid pace, the lead actor Chiyaan Vikram a few days ago completed his portion of the shooting. His manager shared the news of the actor’s wrap up in a tweet.
