Bomman and Bellie, the renowned mahout couple featured in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, have issued a legal notice to filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves, seeking a ‘goodwill gesture’ of Rs 2 crore. The notice, obtained by PTI, states that the couple were promised a proper house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle, and sufficient financial support as compensation for their time and contribution to the project, based on the project’s income. However, the exact amount is not mentioned.
The legal notice highlights the fact that the couple were portrayed as “the real heroes” to various influential individuals such as elites, celebrities, sports personalities, and political leaders, thereby gaining significant publicity. On the contrary, the notice states that the filmmaker received all the financial benefits from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of India.
When contacted by PTI, Bomman refrained from further discussing the case and advised reaching out to his lawyers for more information.
Pravin Raj, a Chennai-based social activist and lawyer who has known the couple for nearly a decade, connected them with a law firm in Chennai after they approached him. Raj revealed that Bomman and Bellie are disappointed with Gonsalves, who had promised financial help and assistance in educating Bellie’s granddaughter during the film’s production. However, Gonsalves has now refused to provide even a fraction of the substantial profits generated by the film. Raj added that the couple had faithfully followed the documentary maker’s instructions, hoping for shared prosperity once the film succeeded. Unfortunately, Gonsalves has been avoiding Bomman’s calls.
Advocate Mohammed Mansoor, handling the case, recently received a reply notice from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, representing Gonsalves. Mansoor plans to send a rejoinder after consulting with his clients as Gonsalves flatly refused further assistance, claiming to have already provided monetary support to the couple.
Meanwhile, Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd released a statement to PTI, stating, “The Elephant Whisperers aims to bring attention to elephant conservation, highlighting the efforts of forest department and mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. The documentary has successfully raised awareness for the cause and made a significant impact on the mahout and cavadis community.
“The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, has made donations to support the 91 mahouts and cavadis responsible for caring for the state’s elephants. This includes the construction of eco-friendly houses for caretakers and the development of an elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.” The documentary has received recognition from heads of state across India, and the Academy Award represents a moment of national pride, bringing widespread acknowledgment for the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie.
“All claims made against us are unfounded. We deeply respect all contributors to this story and remain committed to creating positive change.”
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
