Professor Rajesh Chandwani, a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), was felicitated by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. He was honoured for the documentary film ‘God, Vultures and Human’, which won the Best Documentary Film Award for the year 2023.
The documentary film is produced by Professor Rajesh Chandwani and Studio Lichi, and directed by Rishiraj Agarwal. The film is a powerful tribute to the often-overlooked role of Organ Transplant Coordinators (OTCs) in the emotionally challenging process of organ donation and transplantation in India.
Professor Chandwani is a faculty member in the Human Resources Management Area and Co-Chairperson of Centre for Management of Health Services at IIMA. His research lies at the intersection of healthcare management, Human Resource Management and Information Technology.
Sharing his thoughts on the award, Professor Chandwani said, “While working in the domain of organ donation, I came to know about the critical role of Organ Transplant Coordinators. Their role is paradoxical—seen as ‘God’ by the grateful recipients, yet as ‘Vultures’ by grieving families.
They simultaneously carry the weight of grief, ethical dilemmas, and extraordinary responsibility. The film seeks to humanise their silent labour, blending academic insight with human stories. The film’s recognition with the National Film Award has been a deeply humbling moment in my journey. This project exemplifies my belief that filmmaking can bridge academic scholarship and societal welfare.”
The film was premiered at the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation Conference 2024 (ISOT 2024) in Ahmedabad and has been selected for screening at several prestigious Indian and international film festivals, including the Dokubaku International Documentary Film Festival (IDFF) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
About the film:
‘God, Vultures and Human’ offers a heartfelt exploration of the vital and often under-recognised role of OTCs in the journey of organ donation and transplantation. Through intimate narratives and candid portrayals, it sheds light on the multifaceted lives of OTCs—individuals who serve as the crucial link between life and death, hope and grief. The film humanises these professionals, illustrating their unique ability to embody multiple identities: as life-givers to recipients, sources of comfort and hope to families, and dedicated managers coordinating a complex web of stakeholders including police, forensic teams, hospitals, and donor and recipient families.
The documentary was created in collaboration with the Mohan Foundation, an NGO based in Chennai dedicated to organ donation and transplantation training. The film captures the simultaneous roles of OTCs—being revered by families as ‘God’s messengers,’ while also navigating moments of anger and grief from donor families, who often struggle with acceptance and loss. It highlights the demanding balancing act of their personal and professional lives, as they grapple with the intense pressure of their responsibilities and the emotional toll it takes. Occasionally, OTCs even find themselves facing frustration and anger from some donor families.
Through this recognition, the team hopes that the film raises awareness about the complexities and humanity of organ transplantation as well as honours the selfless work of OTCs who give the gift of life every day.
