The Elephant Whisperers: Renowned for their remarkable work in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers,’ Bomman and Bellie, a tribal couple, have recently come forward with serious allegations against filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment.
A shift in dynamics
During the shooting of ‘The Elephant Whisperers,’ the couple shared a warm relationship with Kartiki Gonsalves. However, their interactions reportedly changed dramatically after the documentary received an Oscar, leaving them feeling distant and disconnected from the director. Bomman and Bellie revealed that they faced financial burdens while participating in a wedding scene for the documentary. The couple claimed they had to use the money saved for Bellie’s granddaughter’s education to cover the wedding expenses, which amounted to around Rs 1 lakh. Kartiki Gonsalves allegedly promised to return the money but failed to do so, despite multiple attempts by the couple to reach out.
The couple expressed their disappointment over being allegedly treated poorly despite their significant role in the documentary’s success. While their tribal identity played a crucial part in the recognition of ‘The Elephant Whisperers,’ they were reportedly denied the opportunity to touch or hold the Oscar statuette during their felicitation.
Bomman and Bellie also recounted incidents of financial discrepancies. Upon receiving their remuneration, they found only Rs 60 in their bank account, despite Gonsalves claiming to have paid them appropriately. The couple expressed frustration over the filmmaker’s dismissive response, suggesting that they must have spent the money elsewhere.
Filmmakers’ response
In response to the serious allegations, Sikhya Entertainment, on behalf of Kartiki Gonsalves, released a statement emphasizing that the primary goal of ‘The Elephant Whisperers‘ was to raise awareness about elephant conservation and honor the efforts of the Forest Department and the mahouts, Bomman, and Bellie. However, the statement did not directly address the specific allegations raised by the couple, leaving some questions unanswered.
Legal notice and demands
Bomman and Bellie issued a legal notice seeking a ‘goodwill gesture’ of Rs 2 crore from filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves. The notice states that the couple was promised a proper house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle, and sufficient financial support as compensation for their time, based on the income generated from the project. They expressed disappointment, claiming that despite being introduced as the real heroes, they did not receive their fair share of financial benefits from the filmmaker.
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