iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Director Adam J. Graves’ Hindi-language short film Anuja failed to win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, which took place on March 2.
The film competed in the category against A Lien (English), I’m Not a Robot (Dutch), The Last Ranger (English and Xhosa), and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Croatian). Ultimately, the award went to the Dutch film I’m Not a Robot.
Anuja was one of only two films with Indian ties nominated this year, with the other being Smriti Mundhra’s documentary I Am Ready, Warden, which contended for the Best Documentary Short Film award. However, I Am Ready, Warden also did not win, with No Other Land taking home the prize in that category.
The short film had garnered attention at prestigious festivals like the HollyShorts Film Festival, New York Shorts International Film Festival, and Montclair Film Festival, before entering the Oscar race.
Directed by American philosopher-turned-filmmaker Graves, known for Cycle Vérité (2021), Anuja starred Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag. Set in India, the film told the poignant story of two sisters navigating a world that sought to exploit and exclude them, as they struggled to find joy and opportunity.
Graves shared that despite the girls’ difficult circumstances, they were resilient, gifted, and inspiring. He was moved by their ability to create joy amidst harsh realities. “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. Though every film is collaborative, this one was much more so than most,” Graves explained on the film’s official website.
Anuja also boasted a remarkable group of backers, including two-time Academy Award winner Guneet Monga, as well as actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mindy Kaling.
Reflecting on the film’s Oscar nomination, Priyanka expressed her pride, stating “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.”
Meanwhile, host Conan O’Brien produced an unexpected moment for Indian fans watching the award show. Hosting it for the first-time host, he delivered a line in Hindi.
“Namaskar. Nashte ke saath Oscar kar rahe hai aap log,” O’Brien said, which translates to, “Greetings to the people of India, it’s morning there, so I hope you’re having breakfast with the Oscars.”
This had social media buzzing.
Complete list of winners
Best actor: Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best actress: Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Best director: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Best supporting actress: Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Pérez”
Best animated feature: “Flow”
Best animated short: “In the Shadow of the Cypress”
Best costume design: Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”
Best original screenplay: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best adapted screenplay: Peter Straughan, “Conclave”
Best makeup and hairstyling: Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli, “The Substance”
Best editing: Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best production design: Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales, “Wicked”
Best original song: “El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
Best documentary short: “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Best documentary feature: “No Other Land”
Best sound: “Dune: Part Two”
Best visual effects: “Dune: Part Two”
Best live-action short: “I’m Not a Robot”
Best cinematography: Lol Crawley, “The Brutalist”
Best international feature: “I’m Still Here” (Brazil)
Best original score: Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”
(Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Award. Photo courtesy: Screengrab from YouTube)
