Close and personal with GUNEET MONGA, the lady who brought Oscar to India .
The Elephant Whisperers, directed and written by debutant Kartiki Gonsalves, produced by Guneet Monga, brought laurels to the country after winning the Oscars in the Best documentary Short film category. Post winning the honour, Guneet is still trying to sink into the feeling and is enjoying every bit of that moment.
METROCITY INDIA: How were you convinced about producing this documentary?
GUNEET MONGA : Who can say no to baby elephants? Well, it was not just me but the Academy Awards too who couldn’t resist the charm of the elephants as the documentary made it to the final five nominations under the Best Documentary Short Film category .
METROCITY INDIA : Were you nervous before the announcement of the award ?
GUNEET MONGA: Right before the announcement, Kartiki and I were holding hands and praying. We were very nervous. We were also figuring out how we’ll walk up to the stage, and say our speeches if our name comes up. We were wondering if we should run or just walk holding hands. Then the announcement began and Pedro Pascal read ‘The’ which could have been another film as well that starts with ‘The’ but then, The Elephant Whisperers won. It was magical .
METROCITY INDIA : Were you convinced that The elephant whisperers will bring in the most prestigious award ?
GUNEET MONGA : We never get into stories thinking about the awards. I feel very spiritual about it. The story chooses us. Kartiki has lived with the story for five years, following up with Bomman, Bellie, Raghu and Ammu. I have been on this journey for 3-3.5 years and the ups and downs have been special for me.
METROCITY INDIA: Tell us something about your Oscar’s journey ?
GUNEET MONGA: My short film Kavi was nominated for an Oscar in the year 2010. The second time, of course, was Period. End of Sentence in 2017, in which I was an executive producer on the documentary film. My film won an Oscar, not mine. The Elephant Whisperers is my first individual Oscar and the first ever Academy Award for an Indian production and Indian director – Kartiki Gonsalves.”
METROCITY INDIA : Being at the most coveted place for Film makers, sharing the stage with the world’s dignitaries, how does it feel?
GUNEET MONGA: The feeling of being at the Oscars is always surreal. This time was equally surreal and majestic. A film so close to our hearts, that took over six years in the making with a lot of passion and love for nature, animals, and the indigenous people of the Mudumali Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, speaks volumes about the diversity of our country. Representing that at the Oscars along with RRR and All That Breathes was an absolute honor. What an incredible year for India