The much anticipated short movie Anuja, which has been directed by Adam J Graves, is making news for snagging a well-deserved nomination for Best Live Action Short at Oscars 2025 ceremony. Following in the footsteps of the Oscar-winning documentary short The Elephant Whisperers, Anuja too brings to the global viewers a powerful story from India.
The Academy Awards nomination remains special as it is the first for both director Adam J Graves and producer Suchitra Mattai.
For the unversed, the team behind Anuja is absolutely impressive! Anuja has the support of producers including Suchitra Mattai, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Krushan Naik, Aaron Kopp, Devananda Graves, Michael Graves, Ksheetij Saini, and Alexandra Blaney. Additionally, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Anita Bhatia have joined the project as executive producers; Archana Jain, Susan MacLaury, and Albie Hecht as Co-executive producers.
Director Adam J Graves has referred to the nomination as an “extraordinary honor” and feel the recognition is a strong reminder of “compassion and courage can have in inspiring change”. “This is an extraordinary honor. Anuja began as a small passion project between filmmakers to showcase the resilience and strength of remarkable children, and I’m deeply grateful to the Academy for giving this story a global platform. Working with Sajda and Ananya has been a career highlight, and this recognition is a powerful reminder of the impact compassion and courage can have in inspiring change,” Graves said.
Suchitra Mattai too has shared her thoughts on the nomination. “Being part of Anuja has been an incredible journey, and I’m honored to share this story with the world. Through our partnership with Salaam Baalak Trust, we’ve been able to provide a platform for the voices of working children and highlight the incredible work this organization does to support and uplift these kids. It’s been a privilege to tell such an impactful story, and I hope it inspires greater awareness and action to empower these remarkable young lives”
Guneet Monga Kapoor referred to the nomination as a testament to “bring honest stories to life”. “Incredibly honoured for this nomination at the 97th Oscars. 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 everyday. Even through unimaginable odds, they show us there is reason to smile. Director Adam J. Graves and Producer Suchitra Mattai have poured all of their hearts into this. This nomination is a testament to how we can cross borders, collaborate, and bring honest stories to life, alongside the support of some of the most powerful global icons like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Thank you for helping bring Anuja’s message to the global stage. Can’t wait for the world to experience the joy of watching Anuja on Netflix,” she said.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas too expressed her excitement on the nomination. “‘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. I’m so proud of Adam J. Graves for his vision and deeply moved by the brilliant performances of Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag, who have poured their hearts into bringing these characters to life. It’s an honor for me to be part of this journey alongside our amazing partners—Suchitra Mattai Studio, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Shine Global. Telling meaningful stories that resonate with audiences is what drives us, and I’m beyond thrilled to see ‘Anuja’ receive this well-deserved recognition,” she said.
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