Elephant whispered an Oscar in India

2023 has been a magical year in terms of India getting the limelight at the 95th Academy Awards or Oscar Awards. Aside from the infamous 'Nato Nato' song winning the best original song award, the short documentary film from India 'The Elephant Whisperers' won the best documentary short film award. 

This has made India proud. This weaves the story of a couple Bomman and Bellie who married each other because of one reason that they really loved to take care of elephants from their heart and soul. The movie was shot in the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Mudumulai Tiger Reserve. The couple belongs to the kattunayakan community who protects the forest for generations. 

Director Kartiki Gonsalves and Producer Guneet Monga have beautifully shared the story of this couple taking care of elephants. It shows the precious bond shared between the caretakers and the animals which brings us close to mother nature and makes us realise the importance of co-existence with animals. 

The documentary shows the couple caring for an injured baby elephant Raghu who got separated from his family herd. Belli also gets the responsibility to take care of Ammu, a female elephant calf. The couple and elephant really get attached to each other. However, Raghu was taken away by the Forest Department which leaves the couple heartbroken. 

The documentary is full of human and animal deep emotions and that can be known from one of the heart-touching scenes wherein baby elephant Ammu wipes away Bellie's tears when she cries over separation from Raghu. 

The documentary brings us close to animals and nature. It makes us realise that elephants have emotions too and animals can get really attached to us. We need to protect them. 

Image source: Google Images