The Elephant Whisperers Becomes First Indian Production to Win An Oscar, Guneet Monga Says, ‘Still Shivering’ 

Oscars 2023: The most-awaited awards ceremony, the 95th edition of the Academy Awards, is ongoing at the Dolby Studio in Los Angeles. As everyone is looking out for the winners, this year's awards are special for India, as three Indian art pieces were nominated, to regional Telugu singer duo Naatu Naatu's performance on the stage to Deepika Padukone presenting an award. It's huge for all of us Indians. Meanwhile, producer Guneet Monga's The Elephant Whisperers has won in the Best Documentary Short Film category.

India clinched its first-ever victory in the Documentary Short Subject category at the 95th Academy Awards, with the Tamil documentary The Elephant Whisperers taking home the award. Kartiki Gonsalves directed the Netflix documentary, which outperformed four other entries, including Haulout, How Do You Measure a Year?, The Martha Mitchell Effect, and Stranger at the Gate, to win the trophy.

The film explores the unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers. Sikhya Entertainment's Guneet Monga and Achin Jain produced the film. India has previously won Oscars for Documentary Short twice, with Smile, Pinki, and Period. End of Sentence, in which Monga served as executive producer.

GUNEET MOGA REACTS

The Oscars have truly been special for Indian cinema. The Elephant Whisperers scripted history by winning the first ever Oscar in the Best Documentary Short category. Soon after winning the award, Guneet Monga, who is the co-producer of the documentary, took to social media to share her happiness and said she was still shivering after the achievement.

Director Kartiki Gonsalves and producer Guneet Monga accepted the award on stage and thanked the Academy for accepting their film. Expressing gratitude, Guneet wrote, "Tonight is historic as this is the first ever Oscar for an Indian production and said: "India's Glory with 2 women. Thank you Mom Dad Guruji Shukrana 🙏🏾 To my Co-Producer Achin Jain, Team Sikhya, Netlflix, Aloke, Sarafina, WME Bash Sanjana. My lovely Husband Sunny. Happy 3 months anniversary baby! Kartiki for bringing & weaving this story. To all the women watching.... The future is audacious and the future is here. Let's go! Jai hind".

She also shared the news on Twitter.

Meanwhile, reacting to the win, Guneet Monga said in an official statement, "This is an incredibly powerful and historical moment. We as two women from India, stood on that global stage making this historical win. I'm so grateful to Kartiki, the wonderful visionary that she is. Netflix gave us the biggest stage in the world and supported us n believed in us all the way. Today I can say, the future for Indian cinema is audacious, the future is here and not to forget the future is truly female!"