Film producer Guneet Monga, who recently won an Oscar for her short documentary The Elephant Whisperers, said that she was “extremely disheartened” after being cut off when she was about to give an acceptance speech at the Academy Awards.
In an interview with The Times of India, Monga 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 an Indian production, which is such a huge thing.”
Stating that it was India’s moment that was taken away from her, the producer added, “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. There are videos and tweets online expressing disappointment that I couldn’t get to speak. This was India's moment taken away from me.”
Willing to let bygones be bygones, Monga concluded, “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.”
The Elephant Whisperers’ director Kartiki Gonsalves, however, was able to deliver a full speech.
Apart from the short documentary, RRR’s ‘Naatu Naatu’ also won in the Best Original Song category at the Oscars.