‘Elephant Whisperers’ generally refers to individuals who have a deep understanding of elephants and can communicate with them in a way that allows for a special bond and trust to develop between the human and the elephant. Some people use this term specifically to describe those who work with captive or wild elephants, such as trainers or mahouts.

The Elephant Whisperers, which won the 2023 Oscars under the category of the Best Documentary Short (95th Academy Awards' Best Documentary Short award) was produced by Achin Jain and Guneet Monga and was directed by Kartiki Gonsalves. Sounds Indian? It’s also set in India – in Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. 

Now you know why this frenzied outpouring of pride. This was India’s year of reckoning – at the 95th Academy Awards A TOTAL OF THREE NOMINATIONS were received from India: for Best Original Song (RRR’s “Naatu Naatu”), Best Documentary Feature Film (Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes) and The Elephant Whisperers for Best Documentary Short Film. 

As a self-styled amateur and dabbler who loves the genre of short documentaries passionately, particularly those with animal content, I shake a leg Naatu Naatu style, with patriotism and joy!    

Essentially, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ is a story about an orphaned elephant calf named Raghu and later, a smaller one named Ammu, who are taken care of by an unmarried middle-aged tribal couple named, Bomman and Belli, after the Forest department hands them over to them. They look after the tiny calves like their own children, showering them with love. In the process, the two humans find love in companionship... and marry. Scenes such as the two ‘children’ trailing their newly-wed ‘parents’, almost like human bridesmaids, will wring a tear out of the sternest of us. 

That said, this 41 min ‘short’ was noteworthy since it served as director Gonsalves’ directing debut. And there lies the catch… 

The debutant director’s inexperience couldn’t handle the potpourri of storyline, earthy natural beauty of the surrounding forest and the multi-layered loving relationships between the lives… Stopping short of becoming a masterpiece.  

“The Elephant Whisperers”, is an overrated documentary short film. Apart from excellent cinematography and a few ephemeral jungle shots, which don’t add to the story in any way (one can view plenty more on National Geographic) I didn't find a driving message in the film -- either as sensitive information or moving activism. Even the heart-breaking act of the Forest Dept. taking back Raghu prematurely, or how calves like these routinely end up in a life of domestication after their wild mothers get killed due to acts of humans could have sent a powerful volley to powers-that-be. 

Yes, there were some very loveable shots of Bomman, Belli, Raghu and Ammu that couldn't have been possible unless the filmmaker spent months living with them. It is evident that the film came out of tons of footage and painstaking editing, but… as I keep repeating, a deep underlying message for all humanity or the national Wildlife bodies was missing. Small details like the language the couple speak, which is somewhere between Tamil and Kannada make for interesting cameos not reflected in the subtitling. It is just a sweet film about animal human bonding. Certainly not enough to win an Oscar! But that in no way takes away the honour from the Indian team behind it. They in their hearts know they did their best.