Netflix stars sue over unpaid dues: Elephant Whisperers couple demands 20m rupees

An Indian couple, known for their roles in the acclaimed Netflix documentary, “Elephant Whisperers,” is in the midst of legal action, claiming that they were not duly compensated by the film’s creators. The film, centred around the lives of Bomman and Bellie as caretakers of an injured baby elephant in the Mudumulai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, is celebrated worldwide, having been the first Indian production bagging the Best Documentary Short Film at the Oscars earlier this year.

Following the film’s immense output, the couple rose to national fame overnight, introduced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and acknowledged for their contribution with a cheque of 100,000 rupees (US$1,207; £949.4) each. Also noteworthy was their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the elephant camp in April.

Despite the recognition, Bomman and Bellie have now brought a legal action against director Kartiki Gonsalves and the production company Sikhya Entertainment, directed by legendary producer Guneet Monga. They maintain that they were not given appropriate payment for their collaboration and have demanded 20m rupees as a gesture of goodwill, to cover their housing and retirement needs.

Uncertainty remains over when the case will be heard, but the couple’s legal representatives have voiced their intent to continue the fight. The accused have refuted these claims; in a statement given to BBC Tamil, both the director and producer expressed their profound respect for all those who contributed to the story.

Gonsalves added that, “All the allegations made by Bomman-Bellie are false, and there is no truth in their allegations.” The film, captured against the breathtaking backdrop of the Nilgiri mountains, documents Bomman and Bellie’s care for Raghu, a baby elephant who had been separated from his herd due to injury. The couple belongs to the tribal Kattunayakan community, known for their generations-long efforts in forest conservation.

The film was applauded for bringing their work in wildlife preservation to a global platform. However, word of their legal action only became widespread last month, following their interview with a YouTube channel.

The couple claimed that they had been promised a house and financial support in return for their participation in the documentary, but those promises remained unfulfilled. Bomman revealed that they had not even received the expected payment in their bank account, except for the 100,000 rupees provided by the chief minister and a government job.

In a legal notice accessed by BBC Tamil, Bomman and Bellie maintained that their efforts and skills were not proportionately remunerated, given the significant commercial gains pocketed by Sikhya Entertainment and its associates. They reiterated their need to be compensated suitably following the roaring success of the short documentary.

Gonsalves and Sikhya Entertainment have jointly refuted the allegations, expressing their deep regard for all contributors and underline their commitment to creating a positive impact.

The documentary’s makers claimed, in a statement to BBC Tamil, that the film’s success was a “moment of national pride” which brought recognition to the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. This is not the first instance where Indian subjects in award-winning films have had issues with the creators after their success. A similar incident occurred in 2021 about the documentary on Khabar Lahariya, a news service operated by women from the marginalised Dalit, Muslim, and tribal communities.

This ongoing controversy brings to light the complexities involved in the creation of such documentaries and the importance of clearly defined agreements.