Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 8: Producer Guneet Monga expressed her gratitude for the recognition received by the short film Anuja at the Oscars, even though it did not win the prestigious award. Anuja, which was backed by Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga, was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards, competing against notable films like Alien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and A Man Who Would Not Remain Silent. However, the award went to the Dutch-language film I’m Not a Robot.
In a conversation with ANI, Guneet shared her feelings about the nomination, calling it a “big thing.” She said, “It is a beautiful film by Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai… Adam is the director, and Suchitra is the producer. I joined their journey to be able to celebrate the film. We are very happy to get nominated. It is also a big thing to be in the top five in the world.”
The film’s journey to the Oscars was a surreal experience for the team. Guneet added, “The journey is beautiful, and the team is beautiful. We were able to bring the girls to America. It was surreal, magical, I was there for seven days and part of the celebration. We really enjoyed a lot… ‘jeet jaatte to lagta sab worth it hai, nahi jeete to lagta hai sab exhaustion hai itna door gaye the.’ But we have to keep putting our stories out, there is no option. Everything is not about the win, it is also about the effort that you put it, and it is great to be nominated.”
Directed by Adam J. Graves, Anuja revolves around a nine-year-old girl, Anuja, who works alongside her older sister in a back-alley garment factory. The story follows Anuja as she faces a life-altering decision that will impact both her future and her family’s well-being.
For Guneet Monga, this marks her third Oscar nomination. Her previous projects, The Elephant Whisperers and Period: End of Sentence, both won Academy Awards. Reflecting on her journey as a woman producer, Guneet mentioned, “There are a lot more opportunities in India and the US now. It’s a time to think how far I can go and explore. It’s the beginning of a new chapter and time to fulfill all the dreams I have seen.”
On the establishment of Women in Film India, she explained, “It is a new chapter we are starting… an organization which several foundations support… In this, we are trying to find out the gaps in skill development and will try to fill those gaps.”
Meanwhile, the 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards is being held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The festivities began on March 8 with the Sobha Realty IIFA Digital Awards Co-Presented by NEXA, which celebrates the innovative brilliance of OTT and digital entertainment. The grand finale will be held on March 9, where the best in Indian cinema will be honoured. This year’s IIFA Awards will be hosted by Kartik Aaryan, and a special celebration of the iconic film Sholay will also take place.