Guneet Monga upset with Academy for cutting her speech midway after Oscars (Photo Credits-Instagram)
India just won two honours at the 95th Academy Awards, filling the entire country with delight. The famous award presentation just a few days ago acknowledged the top performers, movies, directors, and songs with prizes that they took home. The Best Original Song award went to Guneet Monga’s documentary The Elephant Whispers, which was followed by SS Rajamouli’s RRR song Naatu Naatu. Later, though, supporters expressed their dissatisfaction because they believed Indian producer Guneet’s acceptance speech had been shortened.
Netizens reportedly criticised the Academy Awards on Twitter after they heard the orchestra playing as Monga approached the podium to give her winning speech. Many users criticised the show’s creators after they later witnessed them give Charlie Mackie a 45-second speech.
Guneet Monga responded by speaking passionately in response to the same. According to him, “My chance to deliver my Oscar speech was lost. I had a startled expression on my face. All I wanted to say was how significant it is because this is India’s first Oscar for a production made in India. My pulse was quickening.” I felt like I had to be heard after travelling all this way. I’ll return there and make sure everybody hear me.
Guneet Monga discusses the outcry on social media following the interruption of her speech at the international performance. The academy, about which I was unable to talk, is being criticised by the western media, he said. They are so irate that I wasn’t even given the opportunity to give my speech. There are tweets and videos online lamenting the fact that I was unable to speak. India was stolen from me at this precise moment.
“I thought it would be fine; I’ll just come back here again and make sure I’m heard. I’ve had numerous chances to express my ideas, and it’s encouraging to know that everyone loves me. So here, a little compassion goes a long way. In fact, at the Governors Ball, everyone approached me and apologised, asking “How did you be cut?” As I have no idea how the animated short obtained complete time following my speech. It seemed somewhat unjust, Guneet Monga said.