Hathi (1998)

The traditional Indian mahout not only trains elephants but gains a special bond with his animals. In the 1970s, Makbul leaves school to follow this, his father's vocation. He is given an elephant and gradually learns all about the animals. But as India modernizes its economy, elephants are replaced with machinery and the way of the mahout is under threat. The local authorities sell off Makbul's elephant, which is mistreated by its new owner and kills him. Makbul's father dies, signalling the end of an era.