Film producer Guneet Monga, who won an Oscar recently for the short documentary The Elephant Whisperers, said that she is 'disheartened' about being cut off just as she was about to deliver an acceptance speech. Guneet was barely able to get a word in before the orchestra played her off stage. The film's director, Kartiki Gonsalves, was able to deliver a full speech. Following the win, Guneet was able to deliver her full prepared speech in the press room. Several people on social media said that it was unfair for the Academy to not allow Guneet to speak. Many also suggested that a racial angle might be at play, considering how other winners were allowed to exceed their allotted 45 seconds on stage. In an interview with The Times of India, Guneet said that she was 'extremely disheartened' at being cut off, and that the 'shock' was apparent on her face. She said that she wanted to highlight the fact that this was the first Oscar ever for an Indian production, and acknowledged the outrage that is being expressed online on her behalf. She said, "This was India's moment taken away from me." Guneet said that she has got multiple opportunities to be heard since then, and vowed to deliver a full speech the next time she wins an Oscar. It was a big night for India at this year's Oscars. In addition to The Elephant Whisperers' victory, director SS Rajamouli's RRR won an Oscar in the Best Original Song category, for "Naatu Naatu." Director Shaunak Sen's All that Breathes was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category. Guneet is best known for producing acclaimed films such as The Lunchbox, Masaan and Gangs of Wasseypur. She is also credited as an executive producer on the Oscar-winning documentary short Period. End of Sentence.
