Chanchal no more; Model Yashasvi’s sexy photoshoot with 'Pink' elephant draws fire

JAIPUR: The viral images of Chanchal, a 65-year-old elephant painted vibrant pink for a high-fashion photoshoot, had sparked a global debate over animal ethics. While the "Art Expedition" by Russian photographer Julia Buruleva was intended to celebrate Jaipur’s status as the Pink City, it instead ignited a firestorm of criticism from activists like PETA India, who labelled the stunt as exploitative.

The photographer and Chanchal’s owner, Sadik Khan, have defended the project, noting that the paint was organic gulal (Holi powder) applied to only one side of the animal and washed off within 15 minutes. Despite these assurances, the spectacle has prompted calls for stricter regulations regarding the use of captive animals in commercial art.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julia Buruleva (@julia.buruleva)

Tragically, Chanchal passed away in February 2026, leading to a wave of online speculation linking her death to the photoshoot. However, officials and her handlers have provided a necessary correction to the narrative.

The Rajasthan Forest Department confirmed that Chanchal died of natural causes related to her advanced age. At 65, she was a senior elephant, and her passing occurred several months after the photoshoot took place. Authorities have emphasised that there is no evidence suggesting the brief use of organic powder contributed to her death; rather, it was the natural end of a long life.