Madhavan defends keeping parrot as pet

He was voted as the "cutest vegetarian" in a poll, but now actor Madhavan is being questioned for keeping a pet parrot at home. "I'm aware of the laws against keeping wild animals at home. And, yes, I do have an African parrot at home. But I took that parrot under my wing after its original owners abandoned it," Madhavan said.

"If I had left it out, it would've been eaten by crows. And the parrot is like my son. It isn't caged. It runs around the house freely. I also have two dogs that are more famous than I am," he said.

The actor of "Rehna Hain Terre Dil Mein" fame said he was proud to be voted as the "cutest vegetarian" in the poll conducted by the NGO, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"I've been a part of PETA from the time I became a film actor. I'm flattered to be chosen by them. Though let me tell you I think there are far cuter and better looking vegetarians in the entertainment industry like John Abraham and Shahid Kapoor," said Madhavan, also known as Maddy.

"In fact, Shahid has converted to vegetarianism whereas I've been one all my life. So I think his achievement is far more commendable. I don't understand people who say they are meat eaters on Saturday or Sunday and vegetarians for the rest of the week. Either you are or you are not," the actor said.

Maddy cuts short the theory that meat-eaters are stronger people. "No, that's a fallacy. I think we veggies like Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Abraham are healthier. I've never fallen ill with stomach related diseases. These are ailments defined by non-vegetarian food. When you are ill, the first thing the doctors say is: avoid non-veg food.

"I'm not entirely against meat eating. I'm against the way animals are taken to slaughterhouses. Once you see how the animals are carted to be killed you'd never want to eat meat again. It's so cruel and inhuman! How can anyone with family and children eat those animals after seeing them being dragged away?"

The actor, who enthralled audiences in Mani Ratnam's "Guru" this year, is all praise for the projects undertaken by PETA.

"They're very proactive. They actually make a difference to the lives of the animals. They're not just an idea and a philosophy. They actually go out there and stop inhuman treatment of animals."

Indo-Asian News Service