The Elephant Whisperers, a Netflix Tamil documentary, is about a tribal couple from South India named Bellie and Bomman who raise a baby elephant called Raghu like one of their own children. The documentary, which won Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short Film, is produced by Guneet Monga and directed by Kartiki Gonsalves under the banner of Sikhya Entertainment.
Bomman and Bellie, two tribal residents of Tamil Nadu’s Theppakadu Elephant Camp, the oldest Asian camp for elephants, are introduced at the beginning of the documentary, which then follows the course of their daily activities. A baby elephant named Raghu has played a significant role in the couple’s lives, and most of these revolve around him. Also, we get to see Raghu’s daily activities, including his feeding practises, cleaning routine, etc. Then, during the day, Raghu plays with the couple in a mesmerising trance.
Bellie is the only woman assigned to care for baby elephants, and you can see how, despite losing her first husband and daughter, she loves them and raises them as if they were her children. Their bond is lovely to watch.
The cinematography is amazing, we witness not just elephants but monkeys, bears, and birds in the jungle, and animals and humans roaming free and living together. The documentary uses calming, classical music throughout.
Without a question, this documentary may be among the greatest you will see this year. It has all the features necessary to help you realise the importance of tribal people and their sacred connection to the forest. The documentary also lives up to its critics’ expectations and conveys a powerful message of love using the medium of film.
Bomman and Bellie are an inspiring couple, and their willingness to help the baby elephants Ragu and Ammu brought me tremendous joy and made me realise how much the world needs more people like them. Bomman and Bellie’s love and care were the only things that helped Baby Ragu and Ammu to live. The entire documentary seems to be more of a sensory experience than only something to be watched.