After learning from her friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India that the upcoming motion picture ZINDAGI MILEGI NA DOBARA is set to include a scene showing the Running of the Bulls, a much-criticised Spanish ritual, vivacious and talented Spanish-American singer, actor, comedian and guitarist Charo fired off a letter to the film’s director, Zoya Akhtar. The letter urges Akhtar to open her heart and cut out any scenes glorifying the Running of the Bulls.

In the letter, Charo writes, “These animals run because they are terrified. During the run, the bulls are taunted, and many lose their footing, fall and break their bones. In the end, the exhausted bulls are released into the arena and stabbed to death”.

“The film world is considered glamorous,” says PETA India’s chief functionary, Poorva Joshipura, “but there’s nothing glamorous about terrifying animals into a frenzy so that they stampede to their deaths in the bullring as part of a blood sport that is fast dying out in Spain”.

Charo is beloved in the US and Spain. She is known for wearing frilly, sparkly, provocative outfits and for introducing the phrase “cuchi-cuchi” (often used to mean “kiss-kiss”) into the popular vernacular. She is a vocal opponent of bullfighting and recently starred in a video public service announcement for PETA US to speak out against it.

Let’s wait and watch how Zoya responds.