Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Elephant Whisperer Bomman Backtracks on Notice

Elephant Whisperer
  • Bomman and Bellie, are prominently featured in the acclaimed documentary “The Elephant Whisperers”.
  • Initially seeking Rs 2 crore in a goodwill gesture from Kartiki Gonsalves, the Oscar-winning.
  • However, a recent twist in the story sees Bomman retracting his allegations.

Renowned indigenous duo Bomman and Bellie, prominently featured in the acclaimed documentary “The Elephant Whisperers,” have gained attention due to a legal notice sent to the creators of the film, accusing them of financial exploitation. Initially seeking Rs 2 crore in a goodwill gesture from Kartiki Gonsalves, the Oscar-winning director behind the project, the couple has now reversed their stance.

Initially, the mahout couple had claimed that despite being showcased as the “true heroes” of the film, they were denied the promised rewards, including a house, vehicle, and monetary compensation. However, a recent twist in the story sees Bomman retracting his allegations. He now denies any involvement in sending the legal notice and disavows knowledge of its origin. Bomman stated, “I don’t know 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.” He also indicated a shift from pursuing the legal route, as he shared, “They have promised to help me and given this job.”

 

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A post shared by Kartiki Gonsalves (@kartikigonsalves)

The previous narrative depicted Gonsalves promising the couple financial assistance and support for Bellie’s granddaughter’s education. Allegedly, these commitments went unfulfilled, leading to disappointment and strained communication between the parties.

Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment, the production company, responded to the allegations by emphasizing the documentary’s intent to raise awareness about elephant conservation and the commendable efforts of the Forest Department and mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. They acknowledged the documentary’s positive impact on the community and expressed deep respect for all contributors. The filmmakers denied the exploitation claims, affirming their dedication to driving positive change through their work.

As the situation takes unexpected turns, the story of “The Elephant Whisperers” continues to evolve, shedding light on the complexities of filmmaking and the relationships formed during its creation.

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Bellie and Bomman Seek Rs 2 Crore: Director Faces Legal Action

Bellie and Bomman
  • The couple is seeking a goodwill gesture of Rs 2 crore, claiming they were promised a home.
  • Instead, all the monetary benefits were claimed by the filmmaker from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of India.
  • The couple has refrained from commenting on the case directly, urging reporters to seek further details.

In a shocking turn of events, Bomman and Bellie, the renowned tribal couple featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers,” have sent a legal notice to director Kartiki Gonsalves, alleging financial exploitation and neglect. The couple is seeking a goodwill gesture of Rs 2 crore, claiming they were promised a home, a vehicle, and financial compensation based on the project’s income.

According to the legal notice acquired by PTI, Bomman, and Bellie were introduced as the true heroes of the documentary to esteemed personalities, including celebrities, sportspersons, and political leaders, which boosted their recognition for their work. However, despite their significant contributions to the film’s success, the couple alleges that they never received any financial compensation. Instead, all the monetary benefits were claimed by the filmmaker from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of India.

The couple has refrained from commenting on the case directly, urging reporters to seek further details from their legal representatives. They sought assistance from Chennai-based lawyer and social activist, Pravin Raj, who connected them with a law firm in Chennai to pursue their case.

Reportedly, Bomman and Bellie are deeply disappointed with Kartiki Gonsalves, who had initially promised them financial aid and support for Bellie’s granddaughter’s education during the filmmaking process. However, as per their allegations, Gonsalves is now refusing to share any portion of the documentary’s considerable profits. The couple had faithfully followed Gonsalves’ instructions, hoping for mutual prosperity as the film achieved success, but they claim that Gonsalves has been avoiding their attempts to reach out.

In response to the legal notice, Kartiki Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment, the production company behind “The Elephant Whisperers,” released a statement defending their actions. They stated that the primary objective of the documentary was to spotlight elephant conservation and the remarkable efforts of the Forest Department and its mahouts, Bomman and Bellie. The filmmakers asserted that the documentary had significantly raised awareness for the cause and garnered donations from Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister for the welfare of 91 mahouts and Cavadis, who care for the state’s elephants.

Moreover, the film’s makers emphasized that the documentary had received acclaim from heads of state across India, and the Academy Award it won was a moment of national pride, shining a spotlight on the mahouts’ vital work. In conclusion, they refuted all allegations made by Bomman and Bellie, expressing deep respect for all contributors to the documentary and reaffirming their commitment to bringing about positive change.

The legal battle between the elephant-whispering couple and the director has garnered significant attention, with the entire film community and the public watching closely to see how this controversy unfolds.

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