India – A Love Story was chosen as the best telenovela at the 37th International Emmy Awards and the prize was presented to author Gloria Perez yesterday in New York. Amongst the many telenovelas that entered into the running, India – A Love Story, competed against two telenovelas from the Philippines and one form France for the statue that represents the most important prize in television. “After a year like this one, you become emotional remembering everything that we went through to get here. I am very touched and lost for words. Thank you” said Gloria Perez.

By Gloria’s side, the artistic director of India – A Love Story, Marcos Schechtman, also celebrated the prize, which was announced by the American actress, singer and composer Katherine McPhee: “This is very moving. It was two years of work, with a marvelous team, a great cast and a spiritual partnership with Gloria. I do not have the words to give thanks. And in English it was difficult, I had a lack of words. Thank you to the public that supported us”. The award was presented this Monday, the 23rd at the Hilton Hotel during a gala dinner. In all, more than 800 programs from more than 50 countries entered to dispute the 10 categories for the title of the best in the world. 

Juliana Paes, who took part in the award ceremony presenting one of the categories, also celebrated. “I can hardly breath and as happy as can be. I feel very privileged to be a part of this success” declared the buoyant actress.

It was the fourth time that Rede Globo has won an International Emmy in the entertainment area. In 1981 the winner was “Noah’s Ark”, and the following year it was “Morte e Vida Severina” that took home the statue. In 1983, Roberto Marinho won the International Emmy for best Director. Now it was the turn of India – A Love Story. “It is extraordinary this recognition of the Brazilian telenovela as the best telenovela in the world” pointed out Director Marcos Schechtman.

The telenovela, televised in Brazil from 19 January to 14 September 2009, registered an average audience share of 41 points and 65% participation, which meant that it reached, on average, more than 52,811,000 viewers per day. Defined by its author, India – A Love Story is a great love saga, complete with the color and flavor of a rich and complex culture such as that of India. The customs, the religious rituals, the dances, the festivals and the magical aspects of India are there, always demonstrating a contrast with Brazil. There are two central stories, each one on each side of the world, which acts as a mirror for the other. 
 
Gloria Perez and Marcos Schechtman have already worked together on several projects such as America and the miniseries Amazonia. Just to produce and record India – A Love Story, 15 months of work was put in by the whole team. In October last year, part of the cast and crew travelled with Schechtman to India where various scenes were recorded with the leading actors of the drama in Jaipur and Agra. The first encounters of the leading actors Maya (Juliana Paes) and Bahuan (Marcio Garcia), the routine of the youth with Raj (Rodrigo Lombardi) the conflicts between Opash (Tony Ramos) and Shankar (Lima Duarte) and the adaptation of the Brazilian, Camila (Isis Valverde) to a culture so different from hers, that some of the scenes were recorded with the careful supervision of Schechtman and director Fred Mayrink. 

 
At Globo Central Productions, in Jacarepagua, in Rio de Janeiro, two scenographic sets reproduced the streets of Indian cities and a part of the Ganges River, where most of the scenes of India – A love Story were recorded.

This year, another five Globo productions were finalists for the Emmy: the series O Pai O for comedy; the children’s program O Natal do Menino Imperador; the program  Por Toda a Minha Vida/Mamonas Assassinas in the arts category; and Maysa – When the Heart Sings for best mini-series