Indian film producer Guneet Monga’s Sikhya entertainment co-production titled Period. End of Sentence, based on the topic of the deep stigma associated with menstruation and delving upon the work of real life Pad Man Arunachalam Muruganantham, has won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject category at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony.
Monga said, “Thank you to the Academy for the highest honour and for recognising the efforts of the young girls from Oakwood school in LA to Kathikera in UP in helping us shatter the glass ceiling. Periods are normal and in no way do they stop us from achieving anything. This has been more than 10 years of work of Action India run by Gauri Chaudhary on educating reproductive rights on the ground in many villages. Feminist Majority Movement and Girls learn International have been pushing this cause in US.
“Every girl in India or anywhere around the world needs to know this and hear this loud and clear. Period is an end of a sentence but not a girl’s education,” she added.
Monga is honoured and absolutely humbled to partner with Melissa and Rayka in making the short documentary. Mandakini Kakar from Sikhya was on the floor working with the film and is the voice of the film too.
She said, “Thank you Stacey Sher and Lisa Taback for supporting this massive dream. And also thank you Netflix for putting us on the map. Here is to more girl power... I really want every girl to know that each one of them is a Goddess. Now, that we have an oscar, Let’s go change the world.”
From Priyanka Chopra to Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher — a gamut of Bollywood personalities took to social media to celebrate the Oscar win. Here’s what celebrities had to say:
Priyanka Chopra: One of the most special moments of the evening... a film based on the taboos around menstruation wins Best Documentary Short! Congratulations to the entire Period. End Of Sentence team, and my fearless friend Guneet Monga.
Akshay Kumar: Congratulations to Guneet Monga and the entire team of the film for winning big at the Oscars. Much needed topic of discussion and well deserved win.
Anupam Kher: Jai Ho to the entire team and to Guneet Monga. India-based film on menstruation wins Best Short Documentary Oscar.
Lara Dutta Bhupathi: Congratulations dear Guneet Monga on your win! So very happy for you.
Adil Hussain: Heartwarming! Increasingly hopeful to observe the artistic community is recognising and celebrating pluralism and diversity in these difficult times at the Academy, Oscars 2019. Oscars... Bravo World Community of cine arstiste, you keep my hope alive.
Anurag Kashyap: Congratulations Guneet for the win.
Vishal Dadlani: Cheers! Guneet and the entire cast and crew. That’s incredible. Everyone else, if you have not watched Period. End of Sentence yet, do!
