At Oscars 2023 ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ created history

Los Angeles: Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” created history by becoming the first Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category at the 95th Academy Awards.

Directed by debutante Kartiki Gonsalves, the Netflix documentary bested “Howl Out,” “How Do You Major a Year?”, “The Martha Mitchell Effect” and “Stranger at the Gate” to take home the trophy.
In his acceptance speech, Gonsalves said, “I stand here today to speak for the sacred relationship between us and our natural world, respect for indigenous communities, and compassion for the other living beings with whom we share space and Finally, for coexistence,” Gonsalves said in his acceptance speech.
The director thanked the Academy, producer Guneet Monga, his family and dedicated the win to his “motherland India”.

“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our film, for highlighting indigenous people and animals.. to Netflix for believing in its power… for sharing your sacred tribal wisdom with my producer, Guneet, Bomman and Belli.
“To my mentor and my entire team and finally, to my mother, father and sister who are out there somewhere and you are the center of my universe, to my motherland India,” he added.

“The Elephant Whisperers”, in its 39-minute runtime, depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephant calves, Raghu and Amu, and their caretakers, Bowman and Bailey. It is produced by Monga and Achin Jain of Sikhya Entertainment.
Monga said nothing on stage but excitedly raised the golden statue in the air.

In an Instagram post moments later, she called the Tamil documentary’s win a moment of honor for India with “two women”.
“Tonight is historic because it’s the first Oscar for an Indian production. India’s glory with 2 women. Thank you Maa Baba Guruji Shukrana. My co-producers Achin Jain, Team Sikhiya, Netflix, Aloke, Sarafina, WME Bash Sanjana.
“My dear husband Sunny. Happy 3 months baby! Kartiki for bringing and making this story. To all the ladies watching. Future is brave and future is here. Come on! Jai hind,” Monga wrote in her post. wrote

Earlier, two Indian titles – “Smiley Pinky” and “Period. End Of Sentence”, won Oscars in the documentary short category in collaboration with foreign productions. Monga was an executive producer on 2018’s “Period”.