Guneet Monga breaks silence on being cut off during Oscar speech

• The Elephant Whisperers producer Guneet Monga has spoken about being cut off during her speech at Oscars 2023

• She visited the Golden Temple post her return

•  The Elephant Whisperers won an award in the Best Documentary Short Film category at the Oscars

The Elephant Whisperers, a film by Guneet Monga, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film, and she is now enjoying her success. She is, however, a little miffed that her address was interrupted just as she was starting to discuss India winning an Oscar. Although she admitted to being stunned at the time, she has since made up her mind to return and speak up at a subsequent Oscars.

Kartiki Gonsalves, the director of The Elephant Whisperers, and Guneet shared the award. She took her prize and spent the weekend in the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Although she was horrified at the time, she has since accepted the occurrence. She told, “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. There are videos and tweets online expressing disappointment that I couldn’t get to speak. This was India's moment taken away from me.”

She further added, “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."

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A post shared by Vikas Khanna (@vikaskhannagroup)

Following her Oscar victory, Guneet decided to go to the Golden Temple. Vikas Khanna, a chef, and filmmaker, joined her. He shared a video and wrote, "When you dedicate your honors to your ancestors. Thank you Guneet for showing us the power of humility & love. Your glory is forever immortal."  In the clip, she can be seen preparing rotis as part of her seva (service), visiting the temple to worship, posing with her Oscar, and moving around the grounds. She is seen wearing a white dupatta and a yellow salwar suit.