The mahout couple was reportedly promised a proper house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle, and sufficient financial support as a one-time lump sum payment.
Bomman and Bellie sent a legal notice to 'The Elephant Whisperers director Kartiki Gonsalves asking for ₹2 crore as 'goodwill gesture'. (Twitter)
In a legal notice, Bomman and Bellie — the mahout couple made famous by the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers — are seeking a goodwill gesture of ₹2 crore from filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves.
In the legal notice, a copy of which PTI obtained, it is stated that the couple was promised a proper house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle, and sufficient financial support as a one-time lump sum payment (without mentioning the amount) as compensation for their time, based on the income generated from the project.
The notice also said that the couple was introduced as “the real heroes” to the elite, celebrities, sports persons, and political leaders, which gained them wide publicity. But the filmmaker got all the financial benefits from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of India.
When PTI reached out to Bomman, he said he was advised not to talk about the case anymore and asked us to get in touch with his lawyers for further information.
Chennai-based social activist Pravin Raj, a lawyer by profession, said he knew the couple for almost a decade and put them in touch with a law firm in Chennai when they approached him.
Bomman and Bellie in a still from ‘The Elephant Whisperers’. (Twitter)
“Both Bomman and Bellie are disappointed with Gonsalves who promised them monetary help as well as help with the education of Bellie’s granddaughter while making the film. But she now refuses to give even a fraction of the enormous profits made by the film,” said Raj.
He said the couple has been following the documentary maker around, doing what she was asking them to do, in the hope that when the film did well, they would all prosper together.
“Instead, Gonsalves is not even picking up the phone when Bomman calls,” added Raj.
Advocate Mohammed Mansoor, who is handling the case, said he received a reply notice four days ago from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, on behalf of Gonsalves.
“In that, she flatly refused any more help stating that she already gave money to the couple. I will be sending her a rejoinder in a couple of days after consulting with my clients,” said Mansoor.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd to the PTI read: “The goal in creating The Elephant Whisperers has always been to highlight elephant conservation, the tremendous efforts of the forest department and its mahouts Bomman and Bellie. Since its launch, the documentary raised awareness of the cause and had a real impact on the Mahouts and the Cavadis community.”
It further added: “Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin 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.”
“The documentary has been celebrated by heads of state across India, and the Academy Award is a moment of national pride that has brought widespread recognition for the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. All claims made are untrue. We have deep respect for all of the contributors of this story, and remain driven by the desire to create positive change,” the statement added.
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