Film producer Guneet Monga, who won an Oscar for the short documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, returned to India on Friday. On her return, Guneet Monga shared that she is disheartened for not being able to deliver her speech at Oscar.
While director Kartiki Gonsalves gave her speech and dedicated her award to her motherland India producer Guneet was cut off from the stage with the music as she was about to deliver her speech.
While in conversation with the Bombay Times, Guneet said, “I am extremely disheartened that my speech was cut off. There was a shock on my face. I just wanted to say it’s India’s first Oscar in Indian production, which is such a huge thing. My heart started racing as I couldn’t have come so far and not be heard. Western media is pulling up The Academy that I did not get to speak. People are so offended that I did not get the chance to deliver my speech”.
Furthermore, she said that, there are videos and tweets online expressing disappointment that I couldn’t get to speak. This was India’s moment taken away from me. But then, I thought it’s okay, I’ll come back here and I will make sure I’m heard. I have got multiple opportunities to share my thoughts and it’s heartening to receive all the love. So a little empathy can go a long way here.”
Later Guneet Monga delivered her speech in the press room. She said, “Tonight is historic! This is the first Oscar for any Indian production, and two women here won this. I just want to say to everyone watching, the future is audacious and the future is us and the future is here.”
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