World Elephant Day: Sanya Malhotra joins hands with PETA India to 'say no to elephant rides'

Mumbai: Actress Sanya Malhotra has joined forces with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India for World Elephant Day (August 12) campaign asking people to say No to elephant 'joyrides'.

The ad features Malhotra with a ghastly 'cut' on her face seemingly made by an 'ankus' (a sharp-edged device used to control elephants), asking her fans to "try to relate" to the animal's fate by never riding an elephant.

The ad was shot by ace photographer Taras Taraporvala and Natasha Mathias has done the hair and makeup.

Talking about the campaign, Malhotra said: "When I act on-screen or dance, I do so because it brings me true joy. But the elephants used for 'joyrides' and performances don't have a choice at all: they are beaten into submission and usually never get to see their families again,"

Often when they're just two years old, baby elephants have torn away from their mothers and either tied up between trees with heavy chains and ropes – causing painful burns – or confined to a cramped wooden enclosure called a 'kraal'.

To break their spirits and force them to obey, trainers beat the young elephants with sticks and jab them with the 'ankus' – a weapon with a sharp metal hook on one end, such as the one shown in the ad featuring Malhotra.

The Dangal actress was recently seen in 'Shakuntala Devi' and 'Ludo'. Her upcoming film roles include a romantic comedy named 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' and another alongside Vikrant Massey and Bobby Deol i 'Love Hostel'.