Indian film producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves scripted history when they won an Oscar for ‘The Elephant Whisperers‘ in the ‘Best Documentary Short Film’ category at the 95th Academy Awards.
These two Indian women went up the coveted stage to receive their dream award. And as customary, the winners are given a moment with the mic to address the gathering and express their feelings about the win.
While Kartiki took 43 seconds to deliver her touching speech, Guneet, unfortunately, didn’t get the chance to speak her mind because the Oscar music, hinting her to leave the stage, was immediately played.
After Kartiki finished her speech, an excited and overwhelmed Guneet was ready with her speech on her phone. But, she didn’t get a chance to speak.
Watch this video till the end to see what we mean.
However, just after them, the animated film ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse’ won an award, and both the British filmmakers of the movie took their sweet time on the stage.
This biased treatment by the Academy was called out by a Twitter user. In the video, a man pointed out how Guneet wasn’t allowed a couple of seconds on the stage while the two British men spoke for minutes.
this needs to be talked abt more this is insane pic.twitter.com/LmOSjM16N4
— persian roman roy (@theronfilm) March 14, 2023
In fact, he wasn’t the only person who was irked by this behavior. People online also spotted this discrimination and called out the organizers for treating both parties differently.
this pissed me off so badly because wtf
— milffailure defender ✧ (@stargayzes) March 14, 2023
she was all prepared with her speech on the phone too☹️☹️☹️
— ri KENSTEWY CANON (@hosseiri) March 14, 2023
AND HER SPEECH WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! she should’ve been able to say it right at that moment 🙁
— persian roman roy (@theronfilm) March 14, 2023
THISSS
— Sol (@solrodriguez) March 15, 2023
Thank you for this! I noticed it too and was going to time it as well. It’s so fucked up.
— Aneesh the Actress🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@aneeshshethacts) March 15, 2023
You know when you see something so often that you don’t see it anymore?
Yea well, I’ve been seeing this since I was seven years old. Shit don’t get old.
— sanj • thinkable (@getthinkable) March 16, 2023
Yes, I noticed it too! And I was incensed (to say the least) 😡, causing me to yell a few .. er.. unladylike words at the TV 📺
🙈— Darshan’s Assertions🫶 (@Sayanikudi) March 16, 2023
Aw she was so prepared too 🥺
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) March 15, 2023
I was so incensed when it happened. @TheAcademy take this off your website, “We recognize and celebrate all aspects of the film industry, the entertainment it provides, and the diverse, talented people who make movies.”
You don’t walk the walk. pic.twitter.com/3sJFHafM2L
— Bettinna (@bettinna) March 15, 2023
India finally getting more recognition for their work in the film industry and then they pull this…
— Freya (@idatelizzie) March 15, 2023
Later, when Guneet got hold of the mic after the event, she gave a beautiful and inspiring speech that needed a moment up there.
My heart is full of love and excitement, most of it imbibed from everyone in India cheering for our win.
So grateful to the visionary filmmaker @EarthSpectrum and to @netflix who gave us the biggest stage in the world. This is for my beautiful, diverse country, India. #Oscar pic.twitter.com/yq6bur69LH
— Guneet Monga (@guneetm) March 13, 2023
Why so discriminatory towards Indians, Academy?