In an unconventional move, a local filmmaker, Pravin Kumar Mohare resorted to a ‘monkey-style protest’ atop a tree at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Mumbai on July 10 morning. His protest was a poignant expression of frustration against what he claimed was harassment by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

The dramatic protest lasted for about an hour until teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and Mumbai Police brought him down unharmed and escorted him to the police station. 

Pravin Kumar shared with the media that AWBI's exorbitant fees for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) was unjust. “Even for showing a hen or cow feeding on grass or a bullock cart in the film, filmmakers are forced to shell out ₹30,000 to obtain the AWBI's NOC. This creates huge hurdles for the film fraternity, hence, this must stop immediately,” demanded Mohare.

Mohare had earlier raised the same issue on different social media platforms. Failing to get any response, he climbed a tree and aired his frustrations and grievances to a huge crowd of amused joggers and walkers.