Following The Elephant Whisperers’ impressive achievement at the 95th Academy Awards, the short documentary’s director Kartiki Gonsalves is back in India with the Oscar in hand! Receiving a warm welcome at the airport after her big win, the filmmaker met Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, who presented her with a Rs 1 crore cash prize.
Kartiki Gonsalves awarded Rs 1 crore after Oscars 2023 win
Producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves created history when their documentary The Elephant Whisperers became the first film produced in India to win an Oscar! Having brought pride to the country with this huge achievement, Kartiki received a hero’s welcome after returning from the prestigious award show.
After receiving a warm welcome from family, friends and fans at the airport, Kartiki met with Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, who felicitated the filmmaker for her historic Oscar and announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore. A video of their interaction has been making the rounds of the internet! In the video, the chief minister and Kartiki pose with the Oscar trophy before he presents the director a Rs 1 crore check in recognition of her achievement.
Earlier this month, MK Stalin had met caretakers Bomman and Bellie, who featured in the Oscar winning documentary along with the young elephants Raghu and Ammu. Following that, the Tamil Nadu government also announced several cash prizes as well as upgrades for the state’s elephant camps.
Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, The Elephant Whisperers is an Indian short documentary film that premiered on November 9 last year at DOC NYC Film Festival, following which it was released on December 8 on digital platforms. The film tells the story of an indigenous couple named Bomman and Belli who are entrusted with an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu.
