Remember Basanti whipping her horse, Dhanno, in Sholay? Under the law, it is illegal for films to include scenes that depict such senseless cruelty to animals. The penalty for violating the Cinematography Act by including scenes of cruelty to animals is the removal of the scene from the film by the Censor Board.
• Click here for the addresses of the offices of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
You can also write directly to: Ms Sharmila Tagore, Chairperson, CBFC, Bharat Bhawan, 91 Walkeshwar Road, Mumbai-6.
• There are several film industry organisations to which you can complain. Click here for their addresses.
• Write to the stars, director and producer of the film. Attach as many signatures as you can to these letters in order to demonstrate adverse public opinion.
• Send protest letters to film magazines and other media.
• Obtain a stay order from the court under Section 11 and Section 23 of the PCA, thereby restraining distribution and exhibition of the film until the necessary cuts are made.
Under the Performing Animals Rules 1973, it is mandatory for anyone using an animal for the purpose of entertainment to which admission is charged to apply to the government for permission, stating exactly what the animal will be required to do. A copy of this permission certificate has to be submitted to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Check with AWBI to see if this permission has been granted. If not, file in court to restrain distribution and exhibition of the film.
• Even if permission to use animals in films is granted, it is still a punishable act to inflict any manner of pain or suffering on them.
• If the filming of the scene has violated any provisions of the PCA or Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (WPA), the director, animal supplier or owner or any other person responsible can be fined, imprisoned or both. The animal may be confiscated from the owner.
• If you are present during film shooting and witness cruel treatment of an animal, you can file an FIR at the closest police station under Section 11 of the PCA. If possible, ask the police to accompany you to stop the crime in progress. Ask police officers to check on the status of the permission certificate for the use of animals. You can also contact the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and request an inspector.
• The animal protection and cinematography laws apply equally to the use of animals on TV. Violations should be reported to the head of the TV channel broadcasting the programme. Cases can be filed against the producer and director, whose names are usually listed at the end of the programme.
