For Pinki and her dad, being able to see the film's director win an Oscar would be a thrill.

CNN: Pinki brings a smile to the Oscars

"She has absolutely and totally changed, " said Pinki's surgeon, Dr. Subodh Kumar.

CNN: Pinki brings a smile to the Oscars

Pinki just happened to be one of the chosen candidates for surgery and was also chosen to be the subject of the documentary.

CNN: Pinki brings a smile to the Oscars

Pinki is now a real pistol, full of energy and confidence, and she has a fantastic smile too -- thanks to the Smile Train charity.

CNN: Pinki brings a smile to the Oscars

In her petition, Pinki Virani said that Ms Shanbaug had been in a "persistent vegetative state" for 37 years and was "virtually a dead person".

BBC: India court rejects Aruna Shanbaug euthanasia plea

"Pinki was a depressed, sad, lonely, shy, young little girl, growing up on the periphery of the society in a little village, " said Satish Kalra, director of Smile Train's South Asian region, after meeting with Pinki.

CNN: Pinki brings a smile to the Oscars