IIMA Professor’s Documentary on Organ Transplant Coordinators Wins National Film Award

‘God, Vultures and Human’ highlights the emotional journey of Organ Transplant Coordinators; bags Best Documentary at the 71st National Film Awards

BILKULONLINE | Ahmedabad | 02 Aug 2025

A powerful documentary produced by Professor Rajesh Chandwani of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has won the prestigious Best Documentary Film award at the 71st National Film Awards for the year 2023. Titled God, Vultures and Human, the film sheds light on the unsung heroes of India’s healthcare system—Organ Transplant Coordinators (OTCs).

Produced by Prof. Chandwani and Studio Lichi, and directed by Rishiraj Agarwal, the film offers a rare, poignant look into the high-stakes, emotionally intense world of organ donation and transplantation. It premiered at the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation Conference 2024 (ISOT 2024) in Ahmedabad and has since been selected for screening at several Indian and international film festivals, including the Dokubaku International Documentary Film Festival in Azerbaijan.

“I feel both humbled and proud to see our film receive this honour,” said Prof. Chandwani, who is also the Co-Chairperson of the Centre for Management of Health Services at IIMA. “This recognition is a tribute to the tireless efforts of Organ Transplant Coordinators across India and the emotional journeys they undertake. I hope the film inspires people to recognise the quiet miracle of life that emerges in the shadow of death.”

The documentary delves into the multifaceted role of OTCs, who act as critical liaisons between grieving donor families, hospital staff, forensic authorities, and organ recipients. It captures their ability to serve as messengers of hope, while also navigating emotional and logistical complexities with compassion and resilience.

Made in collaboration with the Mohan Foundation, a Chennai-based NGO committed to organ donation awareness and training, God, Vultures and Human reveals the demanding personal and professional lives of OTCs—often hailed as ‘God’s messengers’ but equally burdened by grief, pressure, and emotional fatigue.

With this National Award, the film’s creators hope to deepen public understanding of the intricate process of organ transplantation and the critical human link that makes it possible.