New Delhi: The Elephant Whisperers, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary, was directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Sikhya Entertainment, owned by Guneet Monga.
Bomman and Bellie, a couple who work with elephants, were prominently featured in the documentary. They have now sent a legal notice to Kartiki Gonsalves, asking for ₹2 crore as a goodwill gesture. According to them, they were introduced as the real heroes of the film and received significant publicity from celebrities, sports stars, and political leaders.
Legal Notice To Director Kartiki Gonsalves
According to a legal notice acquired by PTI, the mahout couple in question was promised certain compensation for their participation in the documentary. This included a home, a vehicle, and a lump sum of money, with the exact amount to be determined based on the project’s income. They were also introduced as the “real heroes” of the project, gaining widespread recognition and publicity from elite individuals, celebrities, sports icons, and political leaders.
Unfortunately, the couple claims that they did not receive any financial compensation for their work, as all the monetary benefits went to the filmmaker, who apparently received support from both the Tamil Nadu CM and the PM of India.
The couple has chosen not to provide any comments on the ongoing case and have advised seeking further information from their lawyers. Additionally, they sought assistance from their acquaintance, Pravin Raj, who is a lawyer and social activist based in Chennai. Raj introduced them to a law firm in Chennai to handle their legal matters.
The couple’s lawyer, Mohammed Mansoor, mentioned that the documentary makers recently responded to the legal notice. In their reply, the director stated that she would not provide any financial assistance to the couple. She claimed that they had already received payment from her.
Response From Kartiki Gonsalves
In response to the allegations, Kartiki Gonsalves, the director of The Elephant Whisperers, and Sikhya Entertainment, the production company, have issued a statement. They emphasized that the primary objective of creating the documentary was to raise awareness about elephant conservation and highlight the commendable efforts of the Forest Department and mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. They mentioned that the documentary has had a significant impact on the Mahouts and Cavadis community.
Additionally, the statement emphasized the backing received from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin. The Chief Minister generously donated funds to support the 91 Mahouts and Cavadis who take care of the elephants in the state. The donations encompassed initiatives such as constructing environmentally friendly houses for the caretakers and establishing an Elephant Camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
Furthermore, the documentary has earned commendation from heads of state across India, and its Academy Award victory is deemed a moment of national pride. This achievement has brought significant recognition to the vital work carried out by mahouts like Bomman and Bellie.
Kartiki Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment strongly stated that all the allegations made against them are untrue. They expressed their utmost respect for all the contributors to the documentary and emphasized their unwavering commitment to creating positive change.
