The Oscar-winning filmmaker Guneet Monga, who still cherishes her incredible feat at the Academy, speaks exclusively with The Pioneer over a quick telephonic chat as we discuss every little thing about her craft.SHIKHA DUGGAL
Guneet Monga’s Oscar-winning moment for The Elephant Whisperers was unforgettable. She still cherishes her incredible feat. She says that being referred to as an Oscar winner is surreal, and she proudly displays the prestigious trophy in her house. Well, how do we know that? In an exclusive conversation with us, the most popular producer today shared so many exclusive anecdotes that we couldn’t stop talking to Guneet.
The Academy Award winner speaks, “I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. Films interested me, and I studied mass communication, but I had no idea how to approach it and tried my hand at a variety of things. I was also trained to become an insurance agent! So I’ve worn numerous hats, including being a DJ at school. My best friend’s mother worked in film production, and having grown up idolising Shah Rukh Khan and his films, I figured this would be the ideal way to learn about the magic of that world. I was attracted by the filmmaking process and rapidly dreamed of producing my own films.” She started with Say Salaam India and overcame distribution problems. She co-produced films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers, Masaan, Haraamkhor, and Shaitan before founding Sikhya Entertainment!
Speaking with us, she also revealed that she was one of the executive producers for the same Oscar-winning movie. She had the honour of celebrating Sikhya’s historic Academy Award win with The Elephant Whisperers in 2023. As the business grew, she is enthused about the expanding relevance of co-productions, festivals, and markets. Her quest involves defying preconceptions and making meaningful movies. But, in the end, it’s all about doing something. Guneet, then 18, felt she couldn’t do. She’s here now!
“When someone told me that The Lunchbox had no songs, no one believed it would work in India, despite wonderful film festival reviews. I felt disappointed. Some individuals informed me that it wouldn’t even cover the marketing costs. Nonetheless, I met Karan Johar at the Cannes Film Festival, and he obliged by screening the picture in India and agreeing to help us release it. The universal appeal of the plot helped it connect with the public, and as a result, the masses decided to watch the film and attract others along with them,” added Monga, who was named one of the top 12 women achievers in the worldwide entertainment industry by The Hollywood Reporter.
What really moved our hearts was how she expressed it: “I spiritually and emotionally believe that stories choose us; it’s an instinctive process for me. And it has a lot to do with our methodology. I don’t pick scripts or concepts; instead, I look for beautiful people and enthusiastic filmmakers like myself to help. I never want to take the viewers’ time for granted; those two hours are quite valuable to me. So I must remain true to our tastes and what we enjoy; only then can the outcomes reflect months of hard work and years of dedication. Every new production brings new energy and excitement. Just like the community, the craft of filmmaking is continually evolving, allowing us to innovate and be excited about the next one.”
As an alternative, she wants people to understand that documentary filmmaking is about a never-ending desire to share true tales. She always uses Kartiki Gonsalves as an example, saying that she just took up her camera and went into the forests of Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. She would never have discovered Bomman and Raghu (the baby elephant) if she hadn’t had the will and perseverance to pursue this tale for months. Documentaries serve to open up opportunities for impactful storytelling. And good news for all Guneet Monga fans: in collaboration with Netflix, she is set to release another documentary on Yo Yo Honey Singh titled Famous, which will introduce audiences to Hirdesh Singh, aka Yo Yo Honey Singh himself, showcasing his journey from being a West-Delhi Punjabi boy to becoming a global music sensation. “I’ve also filmed a documentary (yet to be released) called Kicking Balls, a heartfelt film about three villages in Rajasthan where an NGO is addressing child marriage through football. 200 teenage girls play and practice on a regular basis. It raises the voices of these brave girls and explores their sisterhood and path toward independence and agency. So, Sikhya’s canvas of documentary filmmaking space enables me to tell tales with a message that will stir conversations and potentially lead to change,” she deduces, dedicated to documentary filmmaking. The Delhi-born producer goes on to say, “Comparing one documentary to another is unfair. A true story is a story, because it is someone’s reality. So, for me, this genre is an excellent method to get more actual stories out to the public. Every story is significant, and filmmakers must be empowered to tell them.”
She latterly became involved with The Walkers Project, which convinced Guneet that it had the potential to revolutionise the future of Indian cinema by fostering storytelling diversity and gaining global exposure. By assisting budding filmmakers who give new perspectives and question traditional norms, the project built a powerful storytelling culture that represented India’s many voices. Mentorship, workshops, and exposure at events helped these filmmakers elevate their work on a worldwide platform, emphasising the diversity of Indian storylines. This initiative not only improved the film environment but also promoted a broader understanding of Indian culture and civilisation globally.
According to the latest update, an exclusive Cannes Film Festival event held by the Paris Film Region and WIF announced the formal opening of a new Women In Film chapter, WIF: India. Guneet Monga Kapoor will lead the initiative! She stated, “From being in rooms where male colleagues had to communicate on my behalf so I could be taken seriously, to leading international co-productions and studio-scale projects, I’ve seen and actively participated in the progress over the last two decades. However, extensive studies continue to show a dearth of gender diversity throughout important filmmaking departments. According to a study of 156 films, only 12% of department heads were women.” She goes on to say, “Throughout its 50-year history, WIF has sought to influence Hollywood culture by contributing to the development of a pipeline of emerging female creatives. My hope for WIF: India is to help lower the systemic barriers to women’s access to these jobs, as well as to spark a new era of transformation by providing mentorship, networking, and the establishment of fellowships, workshops, and an industry helpline to help sustain the careers of those who are already in the industry. Women are truly the future; we aspire to tap into that boundless potential, creating parity and opportunities for women seeking professions in the film industry.”
