“You are drinking a swine’s milk and not that of a cow’s. Only the milk of the native breed cows will give you the strength you need, not the milk of the Holstein Friesian cow.” The dialogue uttered by one of the characters in the short film ‘Vadi Vasal,’ is but a string of melancholic desperations.

The 19-minute-long short film on how the decision of a family to sell a Jallikattu bull, after the sport is banned by the Supreme Court, touches upon the various aspects behind the ban on Jallikattu, including the sale of Jersey products and extinction of the native breeds.

Directed by Raja Chellamuthu, the short film also portrays the history of Jallikattu, which, according to the documentary, was first conducted as an offering to the Gods to ensure sufficient rains.

“Jallikattu is not just a sport. It is a method of worshipping our deity Ayyanar, so that He shows mercy on us and showers us with rain to boost agriculture,” says GR Karthick, who produced the film.

He goes on to say how ban is slowly eradicating the native cattle breed and rapidly encouraging the growth of foreign breeds and their milk.

“PETA’s allegations are malicious. People look after the bulls like they would their family members. I once met a man who refused to sell the bull for Rs.1 lakh despite the fact that his family was earning less than Rs.5,000 a month,” he claims adding that people spent most of their family’s income on bulls.

Claiming that the ban had increased awareness among public, he also questions if the people behind the ban are ready to look after the bulls, like the owners do.

“The bulls are rescued and sent to slaughter houses. This should be stopped and that is why we have made the short film. The film will be screened in all the villages to spread awareness,” he says.

The short film was released in a function held at Madurai on Wednesday.

Coincidentally, Kollywood music director and rapper Hiphop Thamizha had recently released a short film on the issue of Jallikattu.