At the 95th Academy Awards, India made history by taking home two Oscars—one for Best Original Song and the other for Best Documentary Short. Guneet’s opportunity to accept the award was cut short, which garnered a lot of criticism online, while MM Keeravani accepted it on stage and praised director SS Rajamouli. In a recent interview, MM Keeravani disclosed that Guneet Monga was later admitted to the hospital due to shortness of breath.
Reacting to her acceptance speech at the Oscars for her film The Elephant Whisperers which bagged award in the Best Documentary Short Film category, Guneet averred, “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 mentioned in conversation with Bombay Times.
Recently, in conversation with Galatta Plus, Keeravani said, “The universe was listening to my prayers and it happened. Which left me in not great excitement. But it was exciting only, but not to an extent where you go breathless, like the other award winner–Guneet Monga. She was not given time to speak her words, so she went breathless and she was hospitalised also.”
Post landing in India, Guneet visited the Golden Temple accompanied by ace chef Vikas Khanna. Khanna posted a video from Guneet’s visit on Instagram and penned down, “When you dedicate your honors to your ancestors. Thank you Guneet for showing us the power of humility & love. Your glory is forever immortal.”