Elephant Whisperers Bomman and Bellie sue filmmakers for exploitation, demand Rs 2 crore
The captivating story of the remarkable mahout couple who, alongside the endearing elephant Raghu, took centrestage in the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers, has taken an unexpected turn, marked by allegations of exploitation and a legal battle for compensation against director Kartiki Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment's Guneet Monga..
The Elephant Whisperers, directed by debutant Kartiki Gonsalves and backed by Guneet Monga's Sikhya Entertainment, is a 41-minute short documentary that delves into the heartwarming bond between Raghu, an orphaned elephant, and his caretakers, Bomman and Bellie. The film portrays their unwavering dedication to safeguarding Raghu from poachers and nurturing him into adulthood.
Their journey from being unsung heroes to protagonists of a celebrated documentary has now veered into a realm of legal confrontation and ethical quandaries.
What
In a recent interview, Bomman and Bellie revealed that despite their pivotal roles in the documentary's success, the filmmakers had failed to provide them with due compensation and had seemingly abandoned them after the documentary's triumph at the Oscars.
- The couple alleged that promises made were unfulfilled, their remuneration remained unpaid, and attempts to communicate with the filmmakers went unanswered.
Bomman and Bellie's presence in the documentary as dedicated mahouts who formed an inseparable bond with the elephant Raghu garnered them significant attention.
They were introduced as the real heroes to luminaries from various fields, including celebrities, sports personalities, and political leaders, which led to widespread recognition and praise.
President Droupadi Murmu felicitated Bomman and Bellie, the protagonists of the Oscar winning documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President praised the couple belonging to Kattunayakan tribe for devoting their life in taking care of orphaned baby… pic.twitter.com/Kd4V7BYsL1
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 18, 2023
However, beneath the glitz and glamour of their newfound fame, Bomman and Bellie's story reveals a darker side.
- During the documentary's production, they encountered challenges and situations that tested their resilience.
- They endured financial burdens to cover the expenses associated with filming, hoping that their sacrifices would be repaid with the promised compensation.
Their claims of exploitation are not confined solely to financial matters.
- Bomman and Bellie alleged that they were coerced by the filmmakers to drop a legal case they had filed against them.
The legal notice issued by the mahout couple seeking Rs 2 crore in compensation sheds light on the financial expectations they held based on assurances made during the documentary's production.
- The legal document reveals that Bomman and Bellie were promised not only financial support but also tangible benefits such as a proper house and an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle.
- These promises were to be fulfilled through a lump sum payment derived from the project's earnings.
Unfulfilled promises
Social activist-lawyer Pravin Raj, a long-time acquaintance of Bomman and Bellie, expressed his disappointment with Kartiki Gonsalves, the filmmaker behind the documentary.
Raj shared that Gonsalves had initially committed to providing monetary assistance and support for Bellie's granddaughter's education. However, Gonsalves seemed to have deviated from these promises, leaving the couple disillusioned and feeling used.
Union Minister @ianuragthakur met the Oscar-winning Elephant Whisperers team Kartiki Gonsalves, Director and Cinematographer and Guneet Moonga, Producer .#ElephantWhisperers , a netflix documentary has won the 95th Academy Awards' Best Documentary Short award.@MIB_India pic.twitter.com/6pEX6jeXu3
— Office of Mr. Anurag Thakur (@Anurag_Office) March 30, 2023
Response from the filmmakers
The legal battle has taken another step as Bomman and Bellie's lawyer, advocate Mohammed Mansoor, revealed that a reply notice was received from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, representing Kartiki Gonsalves.
- In the reply, Gonsalves reportedly refused further assistance, citing prior monetary contributions. Mansoor indicated that he would send a rejoinder after consulting with his clients.
- In response to the allegations, Sikhya Entertainment and Kartiki Gonsalves released a statement that emphasised the documentary's primary goal: to raise awareness about elephant conservation and acknowledge the efforts of forest department personnel and mahouts like Bomman and Bellie.
- The filmmakers defended their project, highlighting the positive impact it has had on various communities and expressing gratitude for the recognition it received, including the prestigious Academy Award.
The controversy has come at a significant juncture, coinciding with Bellie's appointment as the first permanent woman elephant caretaker at the Theppakadu elephant camp in Tamil Nadu.
As this multifaceted tale unfolds, it raises questions about the ethics of storytelling, the responsibilities of filmmakers towards their subjects, and the potential consequences of exploiting personal narratives for commercial gain.
Not the first instance
Of the many instances in the past where documentary filmmakers and producers have faced criticism for allegedly exploiting their subjects, here are a few popular examples:
The Act of Killing (2012)
This documentary challenges former Indonesian death squad leaders to reenact their real-life mass killings during the 1960s. While it's a thought-provoking exploration of guilt and denial, some critics argue that the film's method of having the perpetrators reenact their crimes could be seen as exploitative and insensitive to the victims' families.
Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
This documentary focuses on a family as they deal with the aftermath of the father's arrest for child molestation. The film delves deep into their personal lives and the legal proceedings, raising concerns about privacy and the subjects' consent to participate in such a revealing portrayal of their lives.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
While not necessarily exploiting its subjects, this documentary has been criticised for emotional manipulation. The film follows the tragic story of a man who was murdered, and the filmmaker's connection to the victim's family gives the film a deeply personal tone. Some viewers felt that the film exploited their emotions for dramatic effect.
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)
Though it received praise for its high production value, the Netflix original was met with severe backlash for the exploitation of the victims and their families in the dramatisation of events that transpired during the infamous American serial killer’s killing spree.