Actor Jiiva’s action adventure film Gorilla will, for the first time in the history of Indian cinema, feature a real chimpanzee in a key role. Directed by Don Sandy, the movie is produced by Vijayaraghavendra. Samut Training Station of Thailand trains the chimp named ‘Kong’ and hence the makers shot a major chunk of Gorilla there. It appears now some trouble is brewing in the form of a PETA challenge. Informed sources say that PETA has sent a notice to the makers of Gorilla suggesting that they use graphics and VFX instead of using a live chimpanzee.
“Compassionate, forward-thinking filmmakers would never dream of hauling sensitive wild animals to a chaotic movie set and forcing them to ‘act’ for viewers’ amusement,” says PETA India associate director of celebrity and public relations, Sachin Bangera. Reportedly, PETA is calling on Gorilla’s director to cut the cruelty and switch to modern and humane CGI and visual-effects technology.”
The organisation has also elaborated on how the trainers treat the animals badly during behind-the-scenes training sessions and on the sets in order to make them perform correctly in the fewest takes possible. “Blockbusters such as the Planet of the Apes franchise and The Jungle Book have relied on technical wizardry and advanced CGI to create realistic animal characters without harming or harassing their live counterparts”, PETA pointed out.
When we contacted the makers, the movie publicist told us that the producer has explained his side of the story in a letter, saying they have completed the entire shoot of the movie. The content of the letter is as follows. “PETA had requested us not to use live chimpanzee hereafter for shooting. As it is, we have finished shooting of the entire film. We also informed them that the entire shoot and the portions involving the animal have been shot within the legalities, rules and regulations of our government and Thailand government.”
