Couple Who Inspired Oscar-Winning Documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' Allege Exploitation, Send Rs 2 Crore Legal Notice

Bomman and Bellie won our hearts when they held the Oscar trophy in their hands. The film inspired by their real-life story of their unbreakable bond with elephant Raghu won the Academy Award last year. They became an overnight sensation and were even rewarded Rs 1 lakh by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.

Loud and clear!

Congratulations to #TheElephantWhisperers for the win at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/EnOaTTtGfi

¡ª Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 13, 2023

However, what they are going through now is heartbreaking!

The couple has sent Rs 2 crore legal notice to The Elephant Whisperers' filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves.

AFP

As per them, they were promised certain things which they have not received. They were told they would get proper house and an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle and sufficient financial support as a one-time lump sum payment (without mentioning the amount) as compensation for their time, based on the income generated from the project.

Jab they met ?? #TheElephantWhisperers ? #MSDhoni @EarthSpectrum #WhistlePodu #Yellove ? #TNForest #mudumalai @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/oHErropfZk

¡ª Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) May 10, 2023

Alleging exploitation, they said that they were introduced as real heroes to several celebrities, politicians and sports persons; they did as they were told thinking that when the film would do well, they will all prosper together; but the filmmaker took away all the financial benefits including those from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of India, states the legal notice.

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Now, Gonsalves is not even picking up the phone when Bomman calls

#TheElephantWhisperers #AcademyAwards ??????, ??? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???????????.

????????.??????? - ?????????? ???????? ??.1 ?????? ??????, ??????????? & ??????????? ??????? ?????? 91 ??????????????? ??? 1 ????????, ??????? ???? ??.9.10 ???? ????????????? ???????????. pic.twitter.com/mtJgnnZl8G

¡ª M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 15, 2023

"Both Bomman and Bellie are disappointed with Gonsalves, who had promised them monetary help as well as help with the education of Bellie¡¯s granddaughter, while making the film. But she now refuses to give even a fraction of the enormous profits made by the film", said Pravin Raj, a social activist and lawyer who introduced the couple to a Chennai-based law firm to take legal action.

Gonsalves has refused to help

AFP

Advocate Mohammed Mansoor who is handling the case said four days ago he received a reply notice from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, on behalf of Gonsalves. "In that, she has flatly refused any more help stating that she has already given money to the couple. I will be sending her a rejoinder in a couple of days after consulting with my clients."

Here's the statement from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd:

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"The goal in creating The Elephant Whisperers has always been to highlight elephant conservation, the tremendous efforts of the forest department and its mahouts Bomman and Bellie. Since its launch, the documentary has raised awareness of the cause and had a real impact on the mahouts and cavadis community.

"Chief minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin has made donations towards assisting the 91 mahouts and cavadis who look after the state¡¯s elephants, constructing eco-friendly houses for the caretakers and developing an elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

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"The documentary has been celebrated by heads of state across India, and the Academy Award is a moment of national pride that has brought widespread recognition for the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie.

"All claims made are untrue. We have deep respect for all of the contributors of this story, and remain driven by the desire to create positive change."

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