Mahouts Bomman & Bellie accuse ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ director Kartiki Gonsalves of financial exploitation, demand Rs 2 cr compensation

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Bomman and Bellie, the two tribal mahouts, who were catapulted to worldwide fame after they featured in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, have now accused director Kartiki Gonsalves of financial exploitation and demanded a ‘goodwill gesture’ of Rs 2 crore. The two mahouts claimed that they were subjected to several dire situations during the shooting of the movie and had to spend a large amount of money to cover shooting expenses.

In their legal notice, (a copy which has been shared by PTI), the couple claimed that they were promised a house as well as a vehicle and financial support as compensation for their time. It also alleged that all the financial benefits were redirected to the filmmakers and the producers.

In an interview with PTI, Chennai-based social activist Pravin Raj, a lawyer stated that the film-maker had promised Bomman and Bellie financial support as well as help for the education of their grand-daughter. “But now she refuses to give even a fraction of the enormous profits made by the film,” he told the news agency.

He also claimed that Gonsalves is not even picking up their calls. Gonsalves had responded to the allegations.

In an official statement, she said, “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.” She went on to add that all the claims were “untrue.” “We have a deep respect for all of the contributors of this story, and