New Delhi, Jan 25 : Indian short film Anuja has earned a spot in the prestigious Best Live Action Short Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards. The announcement was made on January 25, 2025, during the official nominations reveal by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott.
The film tells the story of a gifted nine-year-old girl, Anuja, who, alongside her sister Palak, faces a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond and reflects the struggles of girls worldwide. Anuja is celebrated for its themes of resilience, sisterhood, and hope, which resonate deeply with audiences globally.
Anuja is backed by some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, including two-time Academy Award winner Guneet Monga, actor Priyanka Chopra, and actress Mindy Kaling. The short film is directed by Adam J Graves, who shared his reflections on the project.
“Despite facing difficult circumstances, the girls I met were resilient, gifted, and inspiring. It was impossible not to be moved by their ability to find and to create joy amidst harsh realities,” Graves said. “I felt it was important to make a film that was true to their experiences, but was also something they would want to watch and discuss themselves—one that drew from reality, but without focusing excessively on the doom-and-gloom. I wanted to capture that wondrous combination of magic and emotion, of innocence and mischief, which is part of childhood itself—these are kids after all, not statistics.”
In response to the nomination, Mindy Kaling expressed her excitement on social media. “AHHHHHHHH #AnujaTheFilm is headed to the Oscars! A story of resilience, sisterhood, and hope – we’re incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the Academy Awards 2025. Thank you to The Academy and our partners at Netflix to help get #Anuja’s message across the globe! Huge congrats to the brilliant filmmakers Adam J Graves, Suchitra Mattai and the entire creative team. And of course the incredible young actresses Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag. It has been such an honor to produce this short film and learn from the artists involved. So proud @kalinginternational gets to be a part! ❤️❤️❤️”
The short film, set in New Delhi, was one of the 15 films shortlisted for the Best Live Action Short Film category. Other films in the running include 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 Orang from Jaffa, Paris 70, and Room Taken.
Anuja’s nomination marks a significant milestone for Indian cinema, showcasing the country’s growing presence on the global film stage. The Academy Awards will take place in March 2025.
