OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023: Guneet Monga wins ‘Changemaker of the Year’ title

Oscar-winning film producer Guneet Monga has bagged the Changemaker of the Year title at the prestigious OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023 tonight. The award was presented by Satyam Manohar, Business Head (West), Real Fruit Juices and Beverages. Earlier this month, Guneet’s film The Elephant Whisperers, directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, won the ‘Best Documentary Short Film’ title at the 95th Academy Awards. The OTTplay Changemakers title marks her first award on home turf after her Oscar win. The glittery award ceremony - which took place at JW Marriott (Juhu), Mumbai - was attended by the who’s who of the Indian film fraternity.  

Did you know The Elephant Whisperers is also the first Indian production to win an Oscar? Currently streaming on Netflix, the 41-minute film traces the journey of Bomman and Bellie, a village couple who belong to Tamil Nadu’s Kattunayakan community. They have devoted their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant, named Raghu. Their story reiterates the fact that human-wildlife coexistence is better than conflict. The film is a heartwarming story of an indigenous couple, who have been given an orphaned elephant to look after. The plot follows the couple’s journey as they relentlessly work to ensure Raghu’s recovery and survival. 

The documentary beautifully weaves the tale of how the couple falls in love with the majestic creature along the course of time. Set against the background of life in the wild spaces of South India, The Elephant Whisperers highlights the beauty of exotic wildlife, unforgettable wild spaces, the people and animals who share this space. 

Founder of Sikhya Entertainment, Guneet has been associated with a slew of critically acclaimed projects in the past - including The Lunchbox, Pagglait, Masaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers, Zubaan, That Girl in Yellow Boots, Monsoon Shootout and Rang Rasiya. Her first major international film was Kavi, which was nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film award. Directed by Gregg Helvey, the film is about bonded labour in India. 

The ‘OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023’ intend to honour and celebrate the groundbreakers and trendsetters of the entertainment industry. With Indian cinema on the cusp of remarkable transitions, it’s pertinent to honour and boost the confidence of those young minds that are bringing about the change. It’s the first edition of the awards ceremony. 

Real Fruit Juices & Beverages Presents OTTPlay Changemakers Awards 2023 was held in association with nutrition partner Health Horizons, travel partner D'Pauls and beauty partner Greyon.