It is a proud year for Indian cinema as Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga's The Elephant Whisperer bought home India's first Oscar in 2023 for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Award. Helmed by Gonsalves, she went on to thank the Academy, producer Monga, and her mother, and dedicated the award to her 'motherland' India.

About The Elephant Whisperer

A 41-minute short film on the unbreakable bond between an orphan elephant and his mahout, The Elephant Whisperer touches on the power of nature. Raghu, an orphaned baby elephant is looked after by his mahout couple Bomman and Bellie - who dedicate their lives to protecting him from the poachers and raising him like their own child.



The Elephant Whisperer marked Kartiki Gonsalves' directorial debut. She left a successful career as a wildlife and social ary photographer, cinematographer, and journalist for her maiden venture. The Oscar-winning Indian short film is backed by Netflix and Guneet Monga.

Spilling some beans on the movie, the producer said, "'The Elephant Whisperers' is the story of people, who have been generationally working with elephants and they're so aware of the needs of the jungle."

Guneet further added, "In the film, there is a beautiful scene which speaks of taking from the Jungle but only to the extent that is needed, and the jungles have enough for everyone. But it is up to us if we take what we need or we hoard. The needs of humans are endless, it is upon us to draw the line and give the respect that animals deserve."

Kartiki Gonsalves On Winning An Oscar

As she gracefully and proudly accepted the 95th Academy Award for her debut short film, Kartiki Gonsalves said, "I stand here today to speak for the sacred bond between us and our natural world, for the respect of indigenous communities, and empathy towards other living beings we share space with and finally, for coexistence."

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"Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our film, highlighting indigenous people and animals. To Netflix for believing in the power of this. To Bomman and Belli for sharing their sacred tribal wisdom to Guneet, my producer," she further added.

Dedicating the award to her motherland, she concluded by saying, "My mentor and my entire team and finally, to my mother, father, and sister who are up there somewhere and you are the center of my universe, to my motherland India."

The Elephant Whisperer was competing with Haulout, How Do You Measure a Year?, The Martha Mitchell Effect, Stranger at the Gate for Oscars 2023.