Parag Maniar (BOMBAY TIMES; October 7, 2012)

 

In a unique campaign held in schools across the nation, the makers of Delhi Safari, directed by Nikhil Advani, urged students to pen their thoughts on deforestation and how, as a result of it, animals are thrown out of their natural habitat. The kids were asked to write letters addressed to the prime minister of India, voicing their feelings. The campaign, launched on Independence Day (August 15), got an overwhelming response with more than four lakh messages.

A kid from Gurgaon wrote, “Protect our Mother Earth and make it a good place to live in,” while another from Pune penned, “Do not destroy God’s creation in this beautiful world.”

Even schools, which are usually averse to such promotions, encouraged the team of Delhi Safari to screen the movie promo in their premises. The 12-minute video featured a five-minute trailer of the film, followed by a talk by noted journalist and environmentalist Bittu Sahgal. As the release date of the film draws closer, many educational institutes have requested for mass bookings.

While the makers will award the school from which they get the maximum responses, all other schools will be given a certificate for participating in the promotional activity. Nishit Takia, co-founder, Krayon Pictures, said, “The letters and messages continue to pour in even now.”

Delhi Safari, produced by Krayon Pictures, releases October 19.