• Source:JND

The short film Anuja, directed by Adam J Graves, has received a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. This poignant tale, which highlights resilience and sisterhood, is backed by prominent names such as Priyanka Chopra, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Mindy Kaling. The film will soon be available to stream on Netflix.

Priyanka Chopra expressed her excitement about the nomination, calling it an “incredible moment.” She shared, “Anuja being nominated for an Oscar in the Best Live Action Short Film category is such an incredible moment. 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.”

Priyanka also praised the film’s lead actors, Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag, for their heartfelt performances. She added, “It’s an honour for me to be part of this journey alongside our amazing partners—Suchitra Mattai Studio, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Shine Global.”

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

Guneet Monga Kapoor also shared her thoughts, stating, “It is a privilege to share the story of Anuja, representing the work of Salaam Baalak Trust India—the voice of countless youth who bravely face formidable circumstances every day. Even through unimaginable odds, they show us there is reason to smile.” She described the nomination as a testament to how storytelling can cross borders and bring honest narratives to life.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guneet Monga Kapoor (@guneetmonga)

The film revolves around the unbreakable bond between two sisters, showcasing their journey of resilience and hope despite challenging circumstances. It also shines a spotlight on the work of Mira Nair’s Salaam Baalak Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering street and working children. Sajda Pathan, one of the lead actors, is herself a beneficiary of the trust.

Produced by a talented team, including Suchitra Mattai, Krushan Naik, Aaron Kopp and others, Anuja also has Priyanka Chopra and Anita Bhatia as executive producers. Co-executive producers include Archana Jain and Susan MacLaury.

Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, expressed pride in the nomination, saying, “It is an honor to bring a beautiful, homegrown film like Anuja to audiences around the world. We hope this powerful story of resilience and redemption resonates with hearts everywhere and brings India another Oscar after The Elephant Whisperers.”

Both Priyanka and Guneet highlighted the importance of Anuja in sparking meaningful conversations about education, child labor rights and the dreams of young children worldwide. Guneet summed it up beautifully, stating, “This nomination is a testament to how a story made with all heart can transcend all borders.”

Also Read: Anuja On OTT: Oscars 2025-Nominated Short Film To Release Soon On THIS OTT Platform

Also Read: Oscars 2025: Priyanka Chopra-Backed Anuja Earns Nod; Emilia Pérez Leads With 13 Nominations | Complete List

Also In News