A recently rediscovered photo shoot in Jaipur has prompted a familiar but difficult conversation; Where does artistic freedom end, and where does animal exploitation begin?
Moreover, people are asking where does harming animals in the name of aesthetics stop?
An original photo concept of a female elephant with bright pink paint on it might seem aesthetically pleasing enough, sure! But just for one second..
Julia Buruleva, a Russian photographer, is at the heart of this controversy due to her concept shoot featuring an elephant named Chanchal. Since its first online publication months ago, the controversy surrounding it has grown HUMONGOUSLY (not exaggerating) in terms of scope. But it is not solely about aesthetics; there are multiple issues that deserve attention; timing, ethics and the uneasy joining of culture, commerce and the welfare of animals here!
“It’s 2026, Use Photoshop”: Internet Reacts To Jaipur Elephant Photoshoot Backlash
If there is anything agreeable regarding how people on the Internet feel about this photo shoot; it’s blunt and unflinching. “It is 2026, for the love of God, use Photoshop already!”
Annnnd, the inventor of technology rests in peace!
The reactions to the photo have been swift and super frivolous. The majority made their objections to the use of a living animal in the photo shoot very clear.
One user commented, “Why would anyone do this to an animal for such a cheap thing as a photo shoot?” Another user pointed out another possible option: “Wouldn’t it be simpler to alter the colour of the elephant using Photoshop than dyeing and washing an entire elephant?”
A little brain goes a long way!
Even more nuanced responses from the commenters have been made public. Many commenters recognize that India has had a long history of using decoratively coloured elephants in religious ceremonies, however they have questioned whether the long history of tradition and custom would serve as justification for the continued use of elephants in commercial photography.
As quoted in one comment: “Painting elephants (in India) has been around for a long time; I assume it is the use of safe Paints. But that article creates an inconsistency between normalisation of activity without questioning, creates concern.”
Jaipur Hathi Gaon Elephant Painted With Gulal For Photoshoot: What Actually Happened
According to several sources, a photographer took the photos of model Yashasvi with elephant Chanchal in November 2025 around the elephant village named Hathi Gaon. The powder used to decorate Chanchal was “Gulal,” it is the type of powder commonly used during festivals like Holi, but it was ‘not chemical based’ and was only applied on one side of the elephant.
It is also being reported that it was applied for a short period and immediately removed within five minutes of application, and the authorisations from all local authorities were present to ensure compliance with any legal requirements.
Balu Khan, the president of the Hathi Gaon Committee, defended the above mentioned actions by citing cultural traditions of decorating elephants as well as stating that they were decorated with similar types of powders as humans are decorated with powders during Holi.
Critics said that there is a difference between a festival associated with long histories and an event that is a business venture created as the topic of a photo shoot for the consumption of users.
AMEN, we guess.
Chanchal Elephant Death After Jaipur Photoshoot: What Officials And Owners Have Said
The controversy received significant attention after an event that was unique: Chanchal died in February 2026 just prior to when these photos began to circulate again on the internet. The owner of the elephant has confirmed the death occurred and authorities have said there is no evidence that the photoshoot had anything to do with the death. Authorities and handlers state she died of natural causes due to age.
However, the coincidence of timing is pretty much impossible to ignore.
Even without proving there was a direct cause, the conjunction of the two events of viral images and then death has increased the public’s concern, and HOW!
The conversation has gone from one of a photoshoot to the more incessant issue of how captive, older elephants are utilized in tourism and visual places.
Captive Elephants In India Tourism And Entertainment: Why Animal Rights Groups Are Concerned
Animal rights organizations, including PETA India, have used this opportunity to call attention to systemic issues.
Their argument does not apply to this incident alone. They indicate a pattern:
• Captive elephants used for rides, ceremonies, and entertainment
• Long-term chaining and restricted movement
• Training methods that may involve coercion
• Psychological trauma stemming from unnatural habitats
According to one activist, the question is not whether gulal (a colored dye) is safe; it’s whether using elephants to exhibit themselves for humans is ethically defensible in 2026.
There are also many who are advocating for alternatives to elephant rides and elephant appearances in tourism, such as using electric vehicles or robotic alternatives, especially in areas with heavy tourist traffic (e.g., Jaipur).
Who Is Julia Buruleva? Photographer Behind Viral Pink Elephant Jaipur Photoshoot
Currently, Julia Buruleva works as a photographer and creative director. She was born in Russia and now resides in Barcelona, Spain. She is best known for her conceptual work that is visually stylized and has inspired her to travel through many different countries to create highly culturally influenced pieces.
The foundation of her current ongoing project is called “Art Expedition.” The purpose of this project is to create unique visual narratives that are based on the local aesthetic of each city or region where she travels. In Jaipur, for example, she has used the design and the colour palette associated with the “Pink City” as part of her photo shoot.
Buruleva wrote in a recent social media post that elephants are a major part of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan because they can be seen all over the city within the streets, architecture, and cultural imagination. By using elephants in her photographs, Buruleva did not randomly choose to include them; rather, she made a specific artistic choice based on their location and context.
Unintentional and intentional consequences are often very different from one another, and although Buruleva may have originally intended to create a culturally respectful homage, the inclusion of an elephant in her Jaipur photo shoot has now caused many people to believe that she has taken an aesthetically inappropriate approach!
Her work was put under investigation by the Department of Forests in Rajasthan due to public pressure after the project went viral. To determine whether the wildlife protection laws have been violated, the officials from the forest department state that:
1. The authorisation and compliance of Buruleva’s photo shoot is being reviewed,
2. If any negligence is found, legal action will follow.