Knowledge Session: Screening of the Documentary “God, Vulture and Human” by Prof Rajesh Chandwani
Every film tells a story, but there is another story that happens behind the screen. How did the story itself come to be? Who and what shaped the story? How did the team come together? And, therein lie many more tales which are often as fascinating and insightful as the one running on screens. However, it is rare that one gets unfiltered access to the team. Hence, when ‘God, Vultures and Human’, produced by one of our own- Prof Rajesh Chandwani, won the Best Documentary Film award at the 71st National Film Awards for the year 2023, it presented a unique opportunity.
On 21st February 2026, the IIMA Alumni Association Mumbai chapter hosted a screening of ‘God, Vultures and Human’ at the Conference Hall of P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, with an introduction and behind-the-scenes details by Prof Chandwani. The documentary shows a slice of the emotional journeys the Organ Transplant Coordinators (OTCs) undertake in the challenging process of organ donation and transplantation in India. He shared how the documentary came to be and the challenges they faced in touching this sensitive topic, which delves into some of the most vulnerable moments that families have to go through. At the same time, it is a testament to the power of this subject that a film shot (during the time of peak COVID restrictions) on a HandyCam bought years ago went on to win a national award.
The session was extra special with the presence of two Organ Transplant Coordinators, who not only told their own stories beyond the one captured in the documentary but also answered the questions of the audience. The interactions with Jaya Jairam, a kidney transplant recipient who has converted her second chance at life to a lifelong mission as a Project Director at MOHAN Foundation, India’s pioneering NGO promoting deceased organ donation, added further depth to the session. Our fellow alum – Dr Swapnil Kharnare, Director Administration, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, and our host for the day, also graced the occasion.
It is a testament to the engaged CP that the conversations went well beyond the session and dominated the lunch. The Chapter hopes that the session helped the message of organ donation travel farther and started many more conversations.
Photograph courtesy: Pratik Singhi.
