‘The Elephant Whisperer’ couple allege exploitation, later backtracks statement

Bomman and Bellie, the tribal couple who became famous after they featured in a documentary called ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ issued a legal notice seeking a ‘goodwill gesture’ of ₹2 crore from filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves. According to the legal notice, the couple was promised a proper house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle and sufficient financial support as a one-time lump sum payment as compensation for their time, based on the income generated from the project. The couple also revealed that Kartiki promised to bear the expenses of the wedding sequence in the documentary. However, they haven’t returned it yet.

Social activist-lawyer Pravin Raj, who claims to know the couple for over a decade, told PTI, “Both Bomman and Bellie are disappointed with Kartiki 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.”

He added that the couple has been following Kartiki around, doing what she was asking them to do, in the hope that when the film did well, they would all prosper together. “Instead, Gonsalves is not even picking up the phone, when Bomman calls,” he added.

Reacting to the controversy, a statement was released by Kartiki Gonsalves denying all claims, which said, “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. Our honourable chief minister of Tamil Nadu, MK 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.

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 a deep respect for all of the contributors of this story, and remain driven by the desire to create positive change.”

As per reports, advocate Mohammed Mansoor, who is handling the case, received a reply notice from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, on behalf of Kartiki, four days ago. “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,” he said.

However, in a drastic turn of events, Bomman has now come forward and backtracked from his statements in a recent video saying, “I did not say I would take back the case if my demands were met. I don’t know what happened there. I don’t who sent the legal notice or the advocate. I don’t have any pieces of evidence. Kartiki spoke to me well and said that she’d help me.” When asked if he would go ahead with the case, he said, “What will I do with the case? They have promised to help me and given this job.”

This has raised questions over why Bomman suddenly backtracked from his statements, whether there was a conspiracy against the director of the film or whether the couple was pressurised by people unknown to take back their statements against the director and the crew of the film.