Filmmaker Guneet Monga’s documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ has found a place in the nominee list of the Documentary Short Film category at the 95th Academy Awards. She said she is “manifesting” the win and calls it “the epitome of joy” and feels all surreal. Monga said, “The feeling is still sinking in. I hope the universe and everything aligns. There is definitely a lot of luck and support for the film. I am very grateful to be nominated and reach in the top 5 of the world.”
When asked if the Indian audience takes Indian cinema more seriously after they are recognised abroad, Monga said, “Documentary world is a newer genre for India but global platforms are pushing it. We are such a star system which is not a bad thing but it is how our industry is built. Documentary per se, the format is new for consumption but it is now freely available. And, of course, awards help highlighting it. Any kind go award or festival recognition brings validation with it.”
Speaking about the movie, the 39-year-old reveals that every new film is a start-up, and she hopes her next film is funded as it is the same kind of hustle, further adding that she never makes films for festivals. Speaking about India at the Oscars this year, Monga said, “I think this is the first time when we have a chance to show our diversity of cinema, the number of languages, at least for the world to know that it is just not Bollywood and so much more than India has to offer and make India proud. This is a great moment in history when a movie like RRR and a documentary short film both in different categories, are at the Oscars at the best stage in the world,” she concludes.
