The Elephant Whisperers director Kartiki Gonsalves, who won an Oscar in the Best Docuemnatry Short Film category, met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai. The CM congratulated her for the big win at the 95th Academy Awards and rewarded her with a Rs 1 crore cash prize and a certificate.

Kartiki recently arrived in India from the US after her win at Oscars 2023. She landed in Chennai with her Oscars trophy and was invited by Stalin for a meeting.

WATCH | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin felicitates Oscar-winner The Elephant Whisperer’s director, Kartiki Gonsalves, in Chennai pic.twitter.com/mNhmiixEbx

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2023
ஊட்டியில் வளர்ந்து, நம் தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் யானைப் பாதுகாப்பு முயற்சிகளை #AcademyAwards வரை கொண்டுசென்ற #TheElephantWhisperers இயக்குநர் @earthspectrum அவர்களைப் பாராட்டி ஊக்கத்தொகையாக ரூ.1 கோடி வழங்கினேன்.

முகம்தெரியாத பலரின் உழைப்பைத் தம் படைப்பால் உலகறியச் செய்ததற்குப் பாராட்டு! pic.twitter.com/LNZZP0Jjns

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 21, 2023
Before meeting Kartiki, the Tamil Nadu CM also invited and felicitated the tribal couple Bomman and Bellie, who inspired the Oscar-winning documentary short film.

Love respect & gratitude to Bellie & Bomman our unsung heroes. A humble tribute to all our Mahouts and Cavadis for taking care of our precious elephants like #Raghu & #Ammu. They were honoured & felicitated by CM @mkstalin #TheElephantWhisperers #Oscar #Oscar2023 @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/iVCp2icVpF

— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) March 15, 2023
Responding to Bomman and Bellie’s meeting with Stalin, Kartiki wrote on Twitter, “Love respect & gratitude to Bellie & Bomman our unsung heroes. A humble tribute to all our Mahouts and Cavadis for taking care of our precious elephants like #Raghu & #Ammu. They were honoured & felicitated by CM (sic).”