Los Angeles: India's hopes for the 2025 Oscars now rest on Anuja, a live-action short film produced by Guneet Monga Kapoor, after Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies failed to advance in the Best International Feature Film category.

On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the shortlists for 10 categories for the 97th Academy Awards. Unfortunately, Laapataa Ladies, India's official entry for Best International Feature Film, did not make the cut, disappointing many fans and filmmakers.

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However, there is still reason for optimism. Monga's Anuja has been shortlisted in the Best Live-Action Short Film category. The film addresses the pressing issue of child labor in the garment industry and features actor Nagesh Bhonsle in a prominent role.

Guneet Monga’s third Oscar nomination

This marks Monga’s third Oscar nomination. Her previous works, The Elephant Whisperers and Period: End of Sentence, both won Oscars, adding to India's growing presence at the prestigious event.

In addition to Anuja, another film remaining in the Oscars race is Santosh, a British-Indian film directed by Sandhya Suri. Featuring actress Shahana Goswami, Santosh is the United Kingdom's official entry for the Oscars. The film premiered earlier this year in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Academy also announced the 30 shortlisted films vying for the Best Live Action Short and Best Animated Short categories. Other contenders include Clodagh, The Compatriot, Crust, Dovecote, Edge of Space, and The Ice Cream Man.

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