Actress-producer Anushka Sharma, who turned vegetarian over three years ago, says it is one of the best decisions she has made. In a new campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, she proclaims, "I Am Anushka Sharma, and I'm a Vegetarian". In the ad, shot by Mazen Abusrour, Anushka smiles joyfully into the camera, flaunting an outfit from her brand NUSH.
"Going vegetarian was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have more energy, I feel healthier, and I'm so happy that no animals had to suffer for my meals," Anushka said in the statement accompanying the photograph.
PETA India's motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to eat".
Anushka Sharma, according to the animal rights organisation, has been a vegetarian for three and half years. She was named PETA India's Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity in 2015 and its Person of the Year in 2017. She is, however, not the only celebrity to have gone green - she has joined the ranks of Lara Dutta, Shahid Kapoor and R Madhavan who have teamed up with PETA India to promote meat-free meals.
Here are some Indian celebrities who have ditched meat to go vegetarian:
Amitabh Bachchan
The superstar is perhaps one of the most well-known vegetarians in the Hindi film industry today. He has been crowned "PETA's Hottest Vegetarian" multiple times.
Shahid Kapoor
The Padmaavat star was crowned PETA's Hottest Vegetarian in 2016. "I love chicks - pigs, cows, fish, and all the other animals, too. That's why I turned vegetarian," Shahid has said, according to PETA.
Alia Bhatt, Rajkummar Rao
A recent convert, Alia Bhatt was named PETA's Hottest Vegetarian for the year 2017 along with Rajkummar Rao.
Sonam Kapoor
The PadMan actor is known to be a vegetarian and vegan by choice. Her brand Rheson has won PETA's Compassionate Business Award for making bags exclusively with non-leather materials.