Guneet Monga: There were times I coloured my hair white to look older

You know her from The Lunchbox Gangs of Wasseypur Pagglait and most importantly the Oscarwinning documentary Elephant Whisperers 2023 Guneet Monga a trailblazing Indian film producer has emerged as a master of cinema that lingers long after the credits have rolledHaving showcased her work previously at Cannes with contemplative films like Masaan Period End of Sentence Monsoon Shootout ndash Monga has carved a notable impression on the global film fraternity Recently in collaboration with The Walkers Project and Film Companion Monga has mentored two promising filmmakers Ambiecka Pandit and Akshay Parvatkar gearing them up for the 2024 Cannes Film FestivalHer production house Sikhya Entertainment cofounded with Achin Jain has emerged as a pioneer in indie filmmaking serving bold storytelling with films like That Girl in Yellow Bootsrsquo starring Kalki KoechlinHowever not everything has been smooth sailing for her as the Oscar winner has had her fair share of troubles At 16 she sold cheese worked as a DJ and made announcements at PVR cinemas to make ends meet Having lost her parents to health ailments at the age of 18 Mongarsquos life is a testament to her indomitable spirit and resilienceIn an exclusive chat with this writer Monga sheds light upon the myriad challenges she faced as a female producer the pressing need for inclusivity in Bollywood and how indie filmmakers can take charge of their narrativesHere are the edited excerpts from the interviewAs a prominent woman producer in the film industry what unique challenges have you faced in a patriarchal country like India and how have you navigated themI think as women the patriarchal structure becomes our norm It becomes ingrained in certain decisionmaking Perhaps a conversation with a client is led by a male colleague because we all felt it would be easier to digest coming from a man rather than a woman Over decades of working Irsquove been privileged to be able to build a voice and lead conversationsThere were times when I projected myself as older believing it would lend me more credibility in the industry I coloured my hair white wore sarees and prayed to get spectacles But thatrsquos also the same girl who produced Gangs of Wasseypur at the age of 27Every time I think about how hard I have it I look back at what my mother faced growing up She was constantly told she was not good at anything But at every turn and point she would sacrifice her life and put herself down just to make sure I got what I needed I stand here now as proof of Amarpreet Kaurs accomplishments dreams and passion passed on and forwardFurther Ive always approached these challenges with resilience and determination refusing to let them hinder my progress And when others dont leave a seat for you itrsquos time to get your tableAs an outsider there was very limited access to build networks However it feels good to see the cinema industry come a long way With initiatives like The Walkers Project it is an invaluable opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their talentsWhat initiatives do you believe are crucial for fostering a more inclusive and diverse film industry particularly for women producers and filmmakersHindi cinema has long been captivated by the magic of its leading ladies However in recent years there has been a significant shift not just on screen but also behind the camera Women are increasingly taking centre stage not just as actors but also as directors choreographers editors art directors and technicians shaping the narrative and aesthetics of Hindi cinemaIn my opinion advocating for gender parity and equal representation in decisionmaking roles is paramount Promoting diversity within leadership positions ensures women and marginalised communities have a voice in shaping industry directionThere was a time when male colleagues had to communicate on my behalf so Id be taken seriously to leading international coproductions and studioscale projects Ive seen and been actively involved in the progress over 2 decades ndash the change comes from within Fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect on set and in the workplace is crucialBy championing diversity and inclusivity at all industry levels we create an environment where women feel valued empowered and safe to express themselves creativelyHow do you perceive the current landscape for independent filmmakers in India and what opportunities do you see for bridging the gap between established production houses and emerging talentsToday Indian filmmakers are creating films not just for the audience at home but for the world While a lot more support is due for independent films and filmmakers the scale of stories in India is so vast that itrsquos so exciting to see what unique perspectives come from these 100s of states and languagesWhile established production houses still hold sway theres an increasing demand for fresh and innovative content with the potential of being scaled globallyI am a part of several initiatives that bridge the gap between established players and emerging talents offering mentorship exposure and networking Fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices to create a more inclusive and vibrant filmmaking ecosystem where independent filmmakers can truly thriveWhat strategies have you employed to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups such as women and minorities through your productionsThe 2023 O Womaniya report still suggests a lack of gender diversities across key filmmaking departments in films The study of 156 films reported only 12 percent of headofdepartment positions were occupied by women Over the years in my two decades in the fraternity Irsquove watched women fight their way to make themselves heard made some phenomenal cinema and attempted to tell stories of the underrepresented groups that wouldnrsquot have seen the light of the day otherwiseI would give credit to platforms like Netflix Hotstar Zee5 and Amazon for also giving a home to many such stories Therefore I was excited to mentor budding filmmakers and create a space that has equal opportunity for everyone My idea is to help lower the systemic barriers in accessing these jobs for women as well as excite a new era of transformation by offering mentorship networking and opening up fellowships workshops and an industry helpline to support the careers of current professionals Women are undoubtedly the future and I aim to create pathways for them to pursue and thrive in screen industry careersFor aspiring filmmakers especially women what advice would you offer in terms of building a strategic approach to entering prestigious film festivals like CannesFilm festivals hold an enchanting allure particularly for young filmmakers and producers like myself It was at Cannes where I introduced The Lunchbox a film made possible through my attendance at the Producers breakfast where I discovered the treaty between France and India At times in our earnestness we overlook the importance of simply moving forwardTaking that leap of faith whether its a significant leap or just the initial step is what truly matters Throughout my global travels to promote our films and introduce Indian cinema to international audiences Ive discovered that the most effective approach is to ask openly and without hesitation Set aside egos discard inhibitions and engage in selfreflection with a solutionfocused mindset to manifest positivityYour persistent thoughts will materialise eventually Dare to be audacious dare to be bold and ask without reservation Ultimately were all navigating our paths in this world together Sometimes we simply need to step aside from our own obstacles Embrace who you are unapologetically and just go with it My three mustdos to attend the Cannes Film Festival are ndashAttend the producerrsquos breakfast Its a great place to talk about coproduction treaties and markets and get mentored by some of the top producers in the global film fraternityCome as a student of cinema Stand in queues and embrace world cinema Sharing the experience of watching films with likeminded individuals can be incredibly enriching Personally I find it both thrilling and rejuvenatingOpen all the doors and speak to everyone Interact with peers and industry leaders at film festivals a single conversation could change your path Share your passion for projects with anyone willing to listen Persevere in pitching your ideas even in the face of rejectionAbout The Walkers ProjectThe mentoring sessions were led by Monga and Anu Rangachari Jerome Paillard and Christian Jeune from the Cannes Film Festival The program aims to provide invaluable and onceinalifetime exposure and networking opportunities to young filmmakers Upon returning from the film festival the young filmmakers will also be making a fictional film each on the theme of ldquoKeep WalkingrdquoI am thrilled to be part of The Walkers Project and work closely with Ambiecka and Akshay shares Guneet Monga Oscarwinning producer and mentor This program is about more than just attending Cannes or creating short films its about empowering filmmakers to amplify their voices advocate for change and shape the future of cinemaAnupama Chopra the renowned film critic and Founder Film Companion remarks ldquoOne of my big joys is enabling new filmmakers With this partnership between Film Companion and Walkers amp Co I hope we can empower the two selected filmmakers to tell stories that matter I am really excited to see the films Ambiecka and Akshay make under this programme and how they use their learnings from the Cannes Film Festival to lsquoKeep Walkingrsquo and to bring to life films that inspire progressrdquoAmbiecka Pandit an independent writerdirector brings a fresh perspective and relentless optimism to her craft aiming to parcel emotional intellectual and spiritual impulses of communities through her storytelling Akshay Parvatkar a scriptwriterdirector challenges societal norms and preconceived assumptions with his empathetic narratives pushing boundaries and fostering meaningful dialogueSpeaking on the program Akshay Parvatkar said ldquoThe Walkers Project promises to give me a chance to bring my stories to life on a bigger stage Irsquove always hoped to tell stories that I feel need to be heard and through this onceinalifetime opportunity I wish to collaborate with visionaries who have the power to reach a larger audience Irsquom grateful for the mentorsrsquo belief in my vision and for the opportunity to Keep Walking towards my dreams and try to inspire change one step at a timerdquoAmbiecka Pandit elaborated how ldquoThe Walkers Project has been an incredible opportunity to partake in To be able to participate and contribute with my film to an initiative I feel strongly about is prize enough but the project also gifts us the opportunity to Keep Walking and experience the largest film festival in the world Cannes is the Mecca of film festivals and being able to witness it firsthand will definitely be a defining experience for a young filmmaker like me It will help see the best of art and commerce come together and understand deeper how the ecosystem of world cinema works An ecosystem I wish to belong tordquoAlso Read How Mumbairsquos slum champion raps her way out of patriarchy and poverty