While Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies is out of the Oscars race, India’s hopes are very much alive with the film Anuja produced by Guneet Monga Kapoor. The live-action short film has been shortlisted in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
Guneet boasts of an excellent track record at the Oscars as her earlier production Period. End of Sentence won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019. She followed it up with The Elephant Whisperers which clinched the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film in 2023.
Anuja tells the story of a 9-year-old girl, who works alongside her older sister Palak in a garment factory in New Delhi. When a teacher shows up at the factory, promising Anuja a rare chance to attend an elite boarding school, Anuja finds herself faced with a decision that will determine her fate and that of her sister.
Reacting to the news, Guneet Monga Kapoor said in a statement, “Being shortlisted for the Oscars is a moment of immense pride. Anuja is a deeply personal story of two sisters navigating through life, celebrating the unwavering hope and resilience of the human spirit. It’s been an honor to contribute to the campaign as an executive producer, and to be part of its incredible journey with the brilliant filmmakers Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai and powerful performances by Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag. This is a humbling recognition of the team’s dedication and to the strength of this moving story.”
Director Adam J Graves said, “It’s a tremendous honour to be included among such wonderful films. Anuja is the result of a collaboration with so many talented and passionate people, above all our two stars, Sajda and Ananya. We knew their performances were truly special. But there is nothing more gratifying than knowing that the film moves audiences emotionally, while also drawing attention to the issue of child labour”.
The Academy Awards shortlist marks the first step in the journey, highlighting the contenders aiming for the prestigious nominations. However, making the shortlist is no guarantee of a nomination, a vital stage remains. From January 8 to January 12, 2025, Academy members will vote to decide the official nominees. The results of this rigorous process will be unveiled on January 17, 2025, paving the way for World cinema’s grandest celebration.
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