After Laapataa Ladies, India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025 in the International Feature Film category, failed to make the shortlist, hopes are now on Anuja. The film, produced by Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, has been shortlisted in the Best Live-Action Short Film category.
Set in New Delhi, Anuja addresses the harrowing issue of child labour in the garment industry. The film features Nagesh Bhonsle in a key role and boasts powerful performances by Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag.
Reacting to the news, Monga shared her excitement: “Having Anuja shortlisted for the Oscars is an incredible honour. Taking Indian stories global has always been a part of my hustle, and it is a privilege to utilise my learnings over the years to ensure beautiful films like Anuja are given the platform they deserve.”
She also praised the film’s creative team, filmmakers Adam J Graves and Suchitra Mattai, for their refreshing screenplay, and highlighted the exceptional performances that bring the story to life.
This marks Guneet Monga’s third nomination at the Oscars. Her previous productions, The Elephant Whisperers and Period: End of Sentence, both won in their respective categories.
Other Contenders in the Category
Anuja faces competition from a diverse range of films shortlisted in the Live-Action Short category, including Clodagh, The Compatriot, Crust, Dovecote, Edge of Space, The Ice Cream Man, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, A Lien, The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, The Masterpiece, An Orange from Jaffa, Paris 70, and Room Taken.
Another strong contender in this year’s Oscars race is Santosh, a British-Indian film directed by Sandhya Suri. The film, starring Shahana Goswami, is the United Kingdom’s official entry in the International Feature Film category. Premiering earlier this year in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, Santosh has been lauded for its compelling narrative and powerful performances.
With Anuja making waves on the global stage, Indian cinema continues to showcase its ability to tell impactful and culturally significant stories, and fans eagerly await the final Oscars nominations announcement.
