It is a 2022 Tamil language Indian short Academy award winner documentary. Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves in her directorial debut. It is about the bond that develops between a couple & an orphaned baby elephant, Raghu, entrusted in their care.
The locales are superb. Bomman sitting with Raghu is one of the classic shots. His grandfather & father were elephant caretakers. The day his father died he took upon himself to care for the elephants.
Bellie lost her husband then her daughter but healed after taking care of Raghu. She says, ‘he cannot speak but understands everything.’ She has Sanjana her grand daughter, who loves elephants.
Being wild animals they are feared but the reserve cares for them. It is one of the largest in Asia. Injured, orphaned animals are taken in.
The couple have a simple wedding. Ammu, another elephant is entrusted to them. Raghu is jealous, but later gets used to having Ammu around. Later Raghu is given to another caretaker, the couple is inconsolable. So is Ammu.
The documentary has a gentle storyline that gets us on the journey with them. Batheing, feeding the animals, just like the human babies, is endearing.
A well deserved award.
Asian Entertainment 