TACKLING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

After Bellie and Bomman, subjects of the Oscar-winning short documentary, The Elephant Whisperers, recently alleged financial exploitation by the makers, moviemakers in the city weigh in on the issues of ethics and responsibilities in filmmaking

- DESE GOWDA

EARLIER this year, when The Elephant Whisperers bagged the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film, it created history. Released late last year, it explored the lives of two mahout couples entrusted with the task of taking care of an orphaned baby elephant. It won many hearts across the world – enough to become the first Indian film to win an Oscar.

But earlier this month, the film directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, was once again put into the spotlight when the couple, Bellie and Bomman, accused the filmmakers of not compensating them the promised sum for the film during a viral interview.