The Elephant Whisperers: Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga overjoyed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's gesture

The Elephant Whisperers, the Tamil short documentary film, produced by Guneet Monga, and directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, has bagged the Academy Award for the Best Documentary Short. The documentary revolves around the middle-aged couple Bomman and Bellie from the Kattunayakan tribe, who have dedicated their lives to care for abandoned elephants. The documentary delves into the deep bond they share with the abandoned baby elephants Raghu and Ammu.

Even as Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves were in the US to collect their awards, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin honoured the stars of the show Bomman and Bellie with a shield and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh each. Kartiki Gonsalves, thanked the TN CM and wrote that she was overjoyed by the gesture. "Overjoyed and so proud to see Bomman & Bellie honoured by our honourable Chief Minister @mkstalin after ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ won the first academy award for India for an independent film at 95th Academy Awards @supriyasahuias @EarthSpectrum @TheAcademy @netflix @sikhyaent (sic)."

Guneet Monga thanked the Tamil Nadu government and wrote, "The power of storytelling is real! Thank you @mkstalin and the TN Govt for this huge support. So grateful and honoured #ElephantWhisperers  @EarthSpectrum (sic)."

And that's not all. The Tamil Nadu government announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh each to all the mahouts and cavadis employed at Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve. There are 91 elephant caretakers at the two camps. He also allotted Rs 9.1 crore to build homes for mahouts. The government also sanctioned Rs 5 crore to improve the infrastructure of Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp at Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

In the meantime, Guneet Monga has reached India along with her Oscar award. She received a warm welcome from everyone and was received with a shower of petals and rousing reception.