PETA objects to bullfight scene in upcoming movie

Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written to the makers of upcoming Bollywood film 'Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara' objecting to a bull fight scene which is to be shot in Spain.

'We have sent an urgent email to Mumbai-based film studio Excel Entertainment urging the producers of the film not to include a bullfighting scene that is scheduled to be shot in Pamplona, Spain,' PETA India's chief functionary Poorva Joshipura said.

In the email, PETA pointed out that the 'barbaric sport' of bullfighting should never be promoted and that such a scene is bound to enrage animal-friendly movie-goers.

'In Spain, the popularity of bull fights is dying out as young people and tourists alike show their revulsion to watching animals being tormented and butchered for entertainment,' said Joshipura.

'Indians need to show our culture of compassion and support modern Spaniards' efforts to ban bull fights, not glorify them,' she added.

The film, starring Hritik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, is being directed by Zoya Akhtar and is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The cast is shooting in the ancient city of Pamplona.

'In a typical bullfight, lances are driven into the bull's back and neck muscles and then the banderillas (brightly coloured sticks with harpoon points) are thrust into the bull. The dying animal is finally stabbed to death - or nearly so; some bulls are still conscious when their ears are cut off and their bodies are chained by the horns and dragged out of the arena,' Joshipura explained.

PETA is planning to contact the ministry of information and broadcasting to develop a stronger broadcast code. 'This should be done to ensure scenes of deliberate cruelty to animals for the sole purpose of entertainment shot abroad are not permitted to be glamourised on screen in India,' Joshipura said.

The filmmakers were not available for comment.