Aroona in trouble, thanks to snakes

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A still from Naaginn (TOI Photo)

Activists from the Animal Welfare Association stall shoot of Naaginn for using real snakes. Veterinary doctors have been appointed on the sets to keep tabs on the health of the snakes.


Aroona Irani's Naaginn is yet to go on air and it's already steeped in controversies. The serial is based on the fictitious story of an ichchadhari snake-woman.

The show is using a lot of real-life snakes to make it more interesting. But, as luck would have it, animal right activists have objected to this vehemently.

Says a source from the production house, "Many shows either use props or special effects when they have to use animals. Even if real life animals were used, it was quite minimal and there have been no hindrance from animal right activists. Whenever animals have to be taken for shoots, a permission from animal rights have to be acquired. We certainly had difficulties to get their approval."

Animal rights activists have been stalling shooting on the sets. "The snakes have to go through several rounds of inspection before the shooting begins. But on several occasions the shooting has been stalled by them because they think the snakes are being ill-treated. It's natural for the actors to be afraid and they almost shiver while shooting. So how can the snakes be ill-treated? They always have different reasons to stop the shooting," adds the source.

When contacted, Aroona Irani says, "It has been very difficult to get an approval from the Animal Welfare Association, based in Chennai. We don't know how to deal with the snakes and everyone is really scared of them. They have appointed doctors on the sets and the snakes have to undergo rigorous health checks before shooting everyday. They are very particular about their health and condition."

In the serial, Sayantani Ghosh is playing the title role and Aroona Irani is also playing a part. The story is about an ichchadhari snake-woman whose parents are dead. She is hell-bent on taking revenge from a family, but eventually falls in love with someone and gets married. The story follows her emotional turmoil between her love and life's purpose.