Actor Jackie Shroff, PETA to gift mechanical elephant to temple in Kerala’s Thrissur

Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) will donate a mechanical elephant to Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple at Lokamaleswarm North, Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala, on Saturday (August 16, 2025).

A 3-metre-tall, 800-kg mechanical elephant named Thaleeswaran is being donated to the temple in recognition of its commitment to never hire or keep real elephants.

Thaleeswaran will be inaugurated by Benny Behanan MP and V.R. Sunil Kumar, MLA.

Thaleeswaran is the eleventh landmark mechanical elephant donated by PETA India to temples, the first in the Kodungallur region, and the seventh to be embraced by a temple in Kerala through PETA India’s efforts.

A panchari melam performance will follow the inauguration ceremony