A controversy has erupted after images of an elephant painted bright pink during a photo shoot in Jaipur by a Russian artist were circulated widely online, triggering criticism and raising concerns over animal welfare.
The pachyderm died last month, her owner has confirmed, while officials said the photo shoot had no connection with her death.
The photos and videos, originally shared in December 2025 by photographer Julia Buruleva, recently gained traction on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some users appreciated the visual appeal and creativity of the shoot, many others questioned the ethics of using animals in artistic projects.
As per artist's post, the photo shoot, conducted in November 2025, featured model Yashasvi and a female elephant named Chanchal from the Hathi Gaon area of Jaipur.
Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon Committee, said the elephant was coloured using 'gulal', which is commonly used during the Holi festival, and that it was washed off within few minutes.
