Tamil documentary The Elephant Whisperers has bagged a nomination in the ‘Best Documentary Short Film’ category at the 95th Academy Awards.

Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, The Elephant Whisperers traces the journey of an indigenous South Indian couple — Bomman and Bellie, who have dedicated their lives to caring for an orphaned elephant calf. It’s all about the beautiful, unbreakable, sacred bond between them and how their actions impact nature over a period of time.

Expressing joy at her film being nominated for the Oscars, Kartiki tells us, “I feel proud and honoured that an indigenous documentary from south India is being acknowledged across the world. I thank the OTT platform and others who believed in this unique yet interesting story that showcases the sacred bond between man and the wild animal.”

Kartiki, who was born and raised in Ooty, says that she grew up amidst nature and has been exploring the beauty of forests from the age of three. “I visit Mudumalai quite often for photography purposes, and it’s more like my home. I have always wanted to tell stories from here, and I am happy that these stories are being recognized. It all began when I met this three-month-old baby elephant named Raghu and his caretakers. Their story touched me and also gave me insights into how elephants are losing their habitat due to encroachments and the human-nature conflict,” she says.

Kartiki worked on this documentary for five years, right from 2017. “This is a documentary and not fiction. So, I had to spend close to five years with Bomman, Bellie, and Raghu to understand their values. Also, shooting in the wild is not easy. There were other wild elephants, tigers, and leopards in the forest, and we had to make sure not to disturb their habitat. Since it’s a documentary, we can’t plan everything in advance. Every single day was a challenge, and it took years to complete this,” she says, adding, “When working with a tribal community, winning their trust first is more important. There are many deeper emotions that should be portrayed in the right way.”

Kartiki is currently abroad researching for another documentary she’s working on. “It’s about an indigenous community in Seattle. I am also simultaneously working on yet another documentary that will be shot in Arunachal Pradesh, Pune and Ladakh.”