Jaipur has found itself at the centre of controversy after a foreign artist’s photoshoot showing an elephant painted bright pink went viral, sparking backlash and a heated debate on animal welfare. Although originally posted in December 2025 by travelling photographer Julia Buruleva, the images have only now gained widespread attention, triggering mixed responses online.
Even as the controversy continues to rage, it has now emerged that the elephant at the centre of the row is no longer alive and had died last month. According to reports, the photoshoot, featuring model Yashasvi, was conducted nearly a year ago, and the elephant seen in the video was a female named Chanchal from the Hathi Gaon (Elephant Village) area. Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon committee, said the animal was coloured using gulal, a powder commonly used during Holi, and that it was washed off within 30 minutes.
He confirmed that Chanchal was around 70 years old at the time of her death. However, there is no evidence linking her death to the photoshoot or the ongoing controversy. Officials and local handlers have clarified that she had reached an advanced age for an elephant, and her death is believed to have been due to natural causes.
Russian photographer Julia Buruleva’s November 2025 Jaipur shoot featured a model and an elephant painted bright pink. She said the city’s iconic colour and the cultural significance of elephants inspired her concept.
"Elephants are everywhere there: streets, ornaments, architecture. Practically the main symbol of Rajasthan. I just couldn't pass by without including one," she wrote. Buruleva and the elephant’s owner said the gulal was applied for 10 minutes and washed off. Despite this, the video has sparked concerns over animal welfare, prompting a Rajasthan forest department investigation.
While some users admired the shoot’s visual appeal and creativity, a much larger portion of the online audience voiced concern about the elephant’s treatment and raised ethical questions about using animals in such productions.
Nevertheless, the coincidence of the viral video and the announcement of her death has heightened public scrutiny, prompting many to use this moment to demand tighter regulation and more explicit rules governing the use of animals in commercial and artistic endeavors.
