Jaipur elephants to appear in 'Jodha Akbar'

Along with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jaipur's elephants are all set to show their acting skills in Ashutosh Gowarikar's historical epic 'Jodha Akbar'.

More than 10 elephants from Jaipur would soon be transported to Maharashtra for taking part in the film's shooting.

'These elephants would be used by Gowarikar for filming the final shots of his historical movie 'Jodha Akhbar',' Shyam Gupta, president of the Jaipur elephant owners association told IANS here Wednesday.

These elephants will be at the location from October 10 to November 25 and will be transported by trucks, Gupta added.

Officials of the forest department have already conducted a detailed medical examination on these elephants and they even cleared the fitness test.

Reports on the elephants' physical condition have been sent to the Chief Wildlife Warden for the final clearance.

'As per norms, a complete fitness test is conducted before sending any animal outside the state,' a forest official said.

Last year, while shooting in Jaipur, the movie-makers faced strong opposition from animal protection groups for using elephants in the movie.

The groups alleged that the animals were treated badly during the film shooting.

People for Animals (PFA), Haryana, alleged that the film's producer and director had violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), and said elephants, camels and horses used in the film were ill-treated.

The film is slated for release in January 2008. The film depicts the romance between the Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wife Jodhabai, played by Aishwarya Rai.