Guneet Monga On Anuja Making It To Shortlist For Oscars 2025: This Is A Humbling Recognition Of...'

While 'Laapataa Ladies' may have been eliminated from the 2025 Oscars race, India’s Oscar hopes are alive, thanks to the inclusion of 'Anuja' in the Best Live Action Short Film category.

India’s Oscar hopes are alive, thanks to the inclusion of 'Anuja' in the Best Live Action Short Film category.

Source : IMDb

While 'Laapataa Ladies' may have been eliminated from the 2025 Oscars race, India’s Oscar hopes are alive, thanks to the inclusion of 'Anuja' in the Best Live Action Short Film category. The film, produced by the Guneet Monga Kapoor, marks yet another milestone for the producer, who has already earned international acclaim for her previous works. Monga’s production ‘Period. End of Sentence’ took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019, while The Elephant Whisperers won Best Documentary Short Film in 2023. 

About Anuja

Anuja explores the poignant tale of a 9-year-old girl, Anuja, who toils alongside her older sister, Palak, in a garment factory in New Delhi. When a teacher offers her a rare opportunity to attend an esteemed boarding school, Anuja is torn between her future and her sister’s, forced to make a choice that will change their lives forever. 

Guneet Monga on Anuja's selection

In response to the exciting news of the film’s Oscar shortlist, Guneet Monga Kapoor expressed her pride and joy. "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 also shared his gratitude, saying, "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."