India's Oscar Pride

They filmed, they showcased, they won. Bringing home the first ever Oscar for an Indian production, filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves and producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, the team behind The Elephant Whisperers, sit down to reminisce their journey and their victory with each other, while we listen in

- SAMREEN TUNGEKAR

The mood at the Grazia shoot is ecstatic – there are two Oscar trophies in the room. On March 13 this year, two women won for India its first Academy award for a home production, in the documentary category, with a film that has touched the hearts of many. But how did it all begin?

This time, we’re not the ones asking the questions, we’re spectators. Guneet Monga Kapoor and Kartiki Gonsalves, the forces behind The Elephant Whisperers, have a conversation about their journey.

Guneet Monga Kapoor: Kartiki, you’ve had 21 years of experience as a natural history photographer. What made you start your journey as a documentary filmmaker with this subject, and move to video?

Kartiki Gonsalves: The journey began very organically because I didn’t think about being a filmmaker at all. I was driving back to Bengaluru from Ooty to pack my things, and that’s when I came across Bomman – he was walking on the side of the road with Raghu. It began with me spending time with a baby elephant, and forming a bond with Raghu, Bomman, and Bellie. I just really wanted to showcase this unusual family dynamic to the world. I started photographing and recording videos. Just being able to bond with Raghu really called me into this. Sometimes, careers find you.

GMK: I know that there were a couple of early instances when Netflix, and somebody in Chennai too, reached out to us with the trailer. How did you come across Sikhya Entertainment [my production company] and me, and how did you choose us?