‘We will return soon’: Producer Guneet Monga announces after 'Anuja' misses out on Oscar

New Delhi: Producer Guneet Monga on Monday expressed gratitude and optimism after her short film Anuja missed out on the Best Live Action Short Film award at the 97th Academy Awards. Monga said she joined the project not only to back the filmmakers but also to amplify the voices of children.

The coming-of-age short film, set in New Delhi, was directed by Adam J Graves and competed at the Oscars but lost to the Dutch-language short I'm Not A Robot. The ceremony was held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Starring Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag, Anuja revolves around a talented nine-year-old girl who faces a life-altering decision — to pursue education or work in a factory alongside her sister. The film, which streams on Netflix, highlights the resilience of young girls navigating difficult circumstances.

Monga, a two-time Oscar winner, came on board as the film's executive producer in 2023. In an Instagram post, she described the film's journey to the Oscars as a testament to the power of dreams and independent cinema.

"We attended the event with our short film Anuja, but this is just the beginning. As long as we continue to dream and create, we will return again soon!" Monga wrote.

The film was made in association with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a nonprofit founded by filmmaker Mira Nair’s family to support street and working children, along with Shine Global and Krushan Naik Films.

Calling Anuja a "22-minute love letter to girls who refuse to be defined by their circumstances”, Monga said the film's vision aligns with the mission of SBT, where the film’s lead actor Sajda Pathan resides.

She expressed her gratitude to the film's team, including executive producers Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mindy Kaling, as well as Netflix executives Bela Bajaria and Monika Shergill.

"I joined this project not only to support the filmmakers but also to amplify the resilience and voices of children. Skills, strength and spirit—the girls have it all. Independent storytellers hold the truth, and we must continue to champion them," she said.

Monga also thanked designer Manish Malhotra for creating her custom brown saree and stylist Manisha Melwani for curating her Oscars look.

PTI