‘Utterly Disrespectful’: Massive outrage over Guneet Monga’s winning speech cut short at the Oscars

New Delhi: Guneet Monga’s production, The Elephant Whisperers bagging an Oscar in the Best Documentary Short film category, was a big moment for India. After all, it is India’s first Oscar Award in the 95-year-long history of the Academy.

However, while director Kartiki Gonsalves got to deliver her winning speech, Guneet Monga was embarrassingly cut off even before she could utter a single word. As Guneet puts it, it was India’s moment taken away from her.

45 seconds rule

There is a 45 seconds rule for the winners at the Academy awards. The winner only gets 45 seconds to deliver his or her winning speech. While Kartiki Gonsalves spoke for 43 seconds, Guneet was met with background music as soon she reached the mic stand.

this needs to be talked abt more this is insane pic.twitter.com/LmOSjM16N4

— persian roman roy (@theronfilm) March 14, 2023

This awkward moment was pointed out and criticized by many. The viewers couldn’t help but notice how the winners of the next set didn’t face this issue.

Netizens complained that how an Indian woman (Guneet Monga) was cut off, but the winners of the Best Animated Short Film award, two white men, were given proper time to deliver their acceptance speeches.

One user wrote, “India is finally getting more recognition but then they pulled this.”

Another wrote, ” I actually cried for her.”

Guneet’s statement on the incident

Guneet Monga expressed her disappointment by saying, ” I am extremely disheartened…there was a shock on my face.”

She went further saying that it was a huge moment for India, and she just wanted to say that this is the first Oscar for an Indian production. “I came so far but couldn’t be heard,” she added.