To Give or Not To Give, a film highlighting the shortage of organ donors in India, won the award at India’s largest competitive film festival, with judges saying the ‘evocative, thought provoking and mind changing’ documentary will ‘remain relevant for decades to come’.

The documentary features Professor Randhawa, Director of the Institute for Health Research at the University, delivering training to staff in India. He said:

“It was a privilege to be asked to deliver a training program in India and share our research activities. Whilst there, I was invited to take part in the documentary.

“I am thrilled that the film has gained such recognition as it will serve as a catalyst to inspire more people to discuss organ donation.”

The documentary focuses on an Indian Catholic priest, Father Davis Chiramel, who donated one of his kidneys to a Hindu man from a poor background. This has subsequently led to over 100,000 Indian Catholics signing up to the Organ Donor Register in India.

Father Chiramel added: “I want people to help fellow people and I can only do this if I lead by example.

“I had read all of Professor Randhawa’s research and about how he recommended and devised public campaigns at grass-roots level for organ donation, and knew he would help me to make this documentary.”

Delhi-based filmmakers S Kumar and Malgorzata Skiba, who made the film, added: “We were honoured to attend the Film Festival and could not believe we won. Father Chiramel is a true inspiration to everyone! Professor Randhawa shared all of his research and ideas with us, and gave up so much of his time to help us.”

Professor Randhawa and Father Chiramel have now teamed up to develop this work in the UK. They launched the Live Life Give Life Campaign by organ donation charity Upahaar in Leicester on Saturday, 26 September to an audience of a cross-section of South Asian communities.