Oscar 2023: India’s Short Film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ Wins best Documentary

“The Elephant Whisperers”, a heart-tugging film from India that deals with the unbreakable bond between an abandoned elephant and their two caretakers won an Oscar on Monday.

The film by Kartiki Gonsalves won the top honours in the Documentary Short category at the 95th Academy Awards. The documentary, which is streaming on Netflix, puts the relationship between humans and animals in the spotlight. It also drives home the larger message of protecting elephants and the need for conservation. The film features Bomman and Bellie, a couple in Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, who devote their lives to caring for orphaned baby elephants, Raghu and Ammu, thus, forging a family like no other.

Gonsalves dedicated the award to her “motherland India” and her family. “I stand here to speak of our connection with the natural world, for the respect of indigenous communities, and empathy towards other living beings we share a space with, and finally, for coexistence,” she said.

Apart from that ‘Naatu Naatu’ from RRR has also wins best Original Song Oscar 2023.

“Thank you to the Academy for recognising our film, highlighting indigenous people. And for Netflix, for believing in the power of our film.” The film, produced by Guneet Monga, marks the debut of Gonsalves, who believes Indian stories have the potential to be recognised in the world.