SHE DID IT HER WAY - GUNEET MONGA

The series SHE DID IT HER WAY features female entrepreneurs who took risks, wore many hats, pushed boundaries, and believed in themselves. Through their wisdom, journeys, insights, and stories, I gain the edge we all seek and my entrepreneurial journey is inspired by their chronicles.?

The name Guneet Monga is synonymous with passion, perseverance, and hard work. Her sheer talent and innovative approach have been making waves in the Indian and international film industries. A struggling film intern turned Oscar-winning producer, Guneet has produced some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films in recent years.

THE ONSET

Despite not following the conventions of Bollywood, Guneet Monga has emerged as one of the youngest producers to taste success in India's cinema industry. She began her career in the film industry as an intern for Anurag Kashyap, one of the most renowned Indian filmmakers. She then worked as an assistant director on several films, gaining first-hand experience in the filmmaking process. In the end, however, Guneet's real passion was producing films, and she soon founded Sikhya Entertainment

Guneet's production company initially produced documentaries and short films, but she soon ventured into feature films. The film "That Girl in Yellow Boots," directed by Anurag Kashyap and premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2010, was her first major breakthrough. Guneet became a producer to watch after the film received critical acclaim.

Guneet's biggest success came with the film "The Lunchbox," starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur. In 2013, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and became a global sensation as one of the most successful foreign films in the United States. It was nominated for a BAFTA.

WINNING AGAINST THE ODDS

'The Lunchbox' was Guneet's result of years of hard work, determination, and a never-give-up attitude. As a passionate supporter of films that push the boundaries and challenge the status quo, she has always believed in the power of storytelling.

During her early career, Guneet faced financial instability as a significant hurdle. In order to make ends meet and finance her film projects, she had to work multiple jobs. The fight between brothers over property led to her family being allocated just one room in a large house, and her mother being suppressed. It was a mixed bag for Monga in 2009. In the wake of losing both of her parents, she moved back to Mumbai after closing shop in Delhi.?

As a 16-year-old, she began working while balancing schoolwork. She sold cheese on the streets, was an announcer at PVR, a DJ, an anchor...you name it. During college, she began working in films in Mumbai. Her role changed from coordinator to production manager. She barely slept four hours a day and was always on her feet. Each film presented a unique challenge. Crowdfunding, international sales- she loved it!

In order to finance one of her films, she even sold her mother's jewelry. Despite her hard work, Guneet's efforts to secure funding for her projects were often in vain, forcing her to take drastic measures to make her dream a reality. The programming heads of every cinema refused to screen her films. All reels were returned.

Despite Guneet's perseverance, she produced several critically acclaimed films like "Masaan," "Haraamkhor," and "Zubaan." However, her biggest breakthrough came with the Oscar-winning documentary short film "Period. End of Sentence.", which she produced in 2018. The film addressed the taboo surrounding menstruation in rural India and was a groundbreaking work.

It was a historic moment for India and the film industry as a whole when Guneet won the Oscar. She became the first Indian woman producer to win an Oscar, inspiring countless young filmmakers.

THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER

In 2021, Guneet produced the film 'The Elephant Whisperer', which dealt with the issue of human-elephant conflict in India. The movie centers on a man named Akhtar who dedicates his life to protecting elephants from human encroachment. He rescues elephants from captivity and reunites them with their families in the wild. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.?

After she was unceremoniously played off at the 95th Academy Awards where ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ won best documentary short film, producer Guneet Monga turned back to the rostrum and yelled out, “This is India’s first film to win an Oscar!” The moment was thrilling for obvious reasons, but she has proven to be a tenacious and ferocious film champion throughout her career.

TO WRAP IT UP

The pioneering spirit of Monga and her commitment to promoting underrepresented voices in Indian cinema serve as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers. In her work, we learn how important it is to promote diverse perspectives and stories in mainstream media.?

Her dedication to creating meaningful stories for our society and her commitment to amplifying unheard voices are part of what makes her work so inspiring which has proven that filmmaking can be a powerful tool for social change.

Her legacy has also shown us that anyone can make their mark on the world and that a single voice has the power to shift the narrative and create a positive, meaningful impact.