Anuja, a short film set in India about two sisters struggling to find joy and opportunity in a world of exploitation and exclusion, has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Adam J. Graves, Anuja showcases the struggles of young girls seeking an education. The nominations were announced at a special event in California.
Produced in collaboration with Mira Nair’s Salaam Balak Trust, a non-profit organization that empowers street and working children, the film stars awardee Sajda Pathan as the lead. The cast also includes Ananya Shanbaugh.
The film, which is set to release on Netflix soon, is backed by a star-studded production team including Suchitra Mathai, Mindy Kaling and Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an executive producer.
However, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, despite winning major international awards, failed to secure any nominations.
Expressing her excitement over Anuja’s nomination, Chopra Jonas said, “It’s an incredible moment to see Anuja nominated for an Oscar in the Best Live Action Short Film category. This film is a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling – how it can shine a light on love, family and resilience in the most authentic way. I am very proud of Adam J. Graves’ vision and I am deeply moved by the talented performances of Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbaugh, who poured their hearts into bringing these characters to life.
Monica Shergill, Vice President of Content, Netflix India, said, “It is an honor to bring a beautiful, indigenous film like Anuja to audiences around the world.”
