Snakes have been a constant on the sets of Saathii Re. But a few days back one of the reptiles left everybody petrified, except mountain boy Rakesh Bapat. Instead of getting scared, Rakesh held the cobra in his hands and put it around his neck showing it off to everyone.

"I have been a mountain guy," he smiled, adding that his intention was not to play a prank but to educate others about snakes. "Instead, an acute commotion broke out on the sets. Every one was shocked and scared; they all started running around screeching at the top of their voices."

Although, capturing snakes from their natural habitat is illegal, Saathii Re has managed to contact snake-charmers to bring along snakes for the shoots. Bapat, however, is against the use of animals for such purposes.

"I am aware of the fact that it's not legal, I personally oppose the practice. By extracting the venomous teeth, snake-charmers reduce the life expectancy of the snakes and I don't think we humans have any right to do that."

"I feel very sad when I see any animal, be it a dog, cat or snake, being ill-treated by humans. We should keep in mind that's it's not them, it's we humans who have destroyed their habitat," summed up Rakesh, who recently rescued a snake being pelted with stones and safely released it at Madh Island. -Jayant Mishra