New Rules To Use Animals In Movies, Permission Will Cost Filmmakers A Fortune

The film industry is unhappy with the new rules imposed by the 'Animal Welfare Board of India'. The amount that has to be paid for obtaining permission letter to use animals and birds in cinemas from the Animal Welfare Board has been drastically increased.

The film industry which is already in doldrums after the onset of Coronavirus is now distressed after this announcement. If any animal like dog, cow, horse, are used in cinemas they have to obtain a NOC from Animal Welfare board of India, otherwise the movie will not get censored.

Earlier, they used to charge 1,100 rupees per application. Now, they have hiked the fee to 5,000 rupees. The board used to charge 500 rupees for horse, now the fee is 2,000 rupees. Earlier, there was no charge for prior permission. Now, they have to pay 25,000 rupees. Besides, the team has to mention how and where all the animals will be used in the letter and they have to shoot accordingly.

After the shootin, the members of 'Animal Welfare board of India will examine the content. After this to obtain one more permission the team has to pay 30,000 rupees. Like this, the Production team of a movie has to pay totally one lakh rupee per movie to the board.

The process would earlier cost several thousands would now cost more than one lakh now. Hence the film industry has expressed its unhappiness about the development.

Besides, the office of Animal Welfare board of India which was in Chennai before, has been shifted to North India. Producers have to go there and bring the permission letter. Though it can be done via postal services, it won't happen within the required time. People who invest crores can afford to get this done in a trice. But small budget producers will find it hard to go to North India to get the letter. This also affects the creative freedom of story writers, and directors. Cinema fans are also expressing their unhappiness over this action by Animal Welfare board of India.

Dialogue writer Mallanna opines that like the Censor board if they open branches for each languages, it will be helpful for producers in every industry. If a small deviation from the intended scene happens, then the board won't issue a certificate.