The outrage attained glaring proportions when a fabulous scene with Aamir Khan riding on top of a horse was deleted from the title track of ‘Rang De Basanti’. Why? It amounted to cruelty against the animals. Bizarre. But true. That’s exactly the tortuous effect the film industry has been subjected to since 2001 when the High Court passed a verdict in favour of a PIL filed by PETA claiming gross cruelty against animals in Hindi films.

A lack of clarity was rampant in the film industry known for being disorganized with lack of a proper union being its biggest shortcoming. That’s exactly what a few leading film producers wished to sort out at a press meet with Major General Dr R M Kharab, Chairman Animal Welfare Board of India at a hotel in Mumbai recently. The meeting was chaired by Mr Pahlaj Nihalani, President, AMPTPP (Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers). Mr TP Agarwal of IMPPA (Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association), Mr Ramesh Taurani, Vice President, AMPTTP and Mr Sangram Shirke, President, Western Indian Film Producers Association were the other members present on the dias.

Dr Kharab informed that all the trained animal owners need to register with AWBI starting from December 1st onwards for the usage of trained animals in any film. Any animal which is part of the ambience and is not doing any stunts in the film did not come under that purview, he explained. Dr Kharab also stressed that he wishes to make things more transparent for the producers. But when asked on what grounds was the scene in ‘Rang De Basanti’ deleted, Dr Kharab simply stated that it was a matter that arose before he became the president of AWBI so he can’t say anything on that.

It remains to be seen how effective this new directive of Animal Welfare Board of India is in making shooting with animals easier in films.