On Thursday, the nominations for the 2025 Oscars were revealed, and unfortunately, both All We Imagine As Light and Santosh, the film representing the UK directed by Sandhya Suri, did not receive nominations. Nevertheless, there was a reason for celebration for India, as Anuja, a short film set in Delhi, secured a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. With support from prominent figures such as Priyanka Chopra, Mindy Kaling, and Guneet Monga, Anuja has been attracting significant attention as the competition for the Oscars intensifies. Much of the spotlight is on the film's 9-year-old lead.

What is Anuja about?

Directed by Adam J Graves and Suchitra Mattai, Anuja tells the story of a talented 9-year-old girl who faces a critical choice between pursuing her education and working in a factory alongside her sister—a decision that will profoundly impact their lives. The film features Sajda Pathan in the lead role and Ananya Shanbhag as her sister. Set against the backdrop of New Delhi, Anuja boasts the involvement of two-time Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga and actress Priyanka Chopra as executive producers, with Hollywood star Mindy Kaling serving as a producer.

Who is Sajda Pathan, Anuja's young star

Sajda Pathan, the young actress at the center of the film, has a remarkable story of her own. Anuja marks her second film appearance. Having emerged from a challenging background, she was rescued from the streets by a non-governmental organization (NGO) and previously acted in The Braid (La Tresse), a French film directed by Laetitia Colombani, where she performed alongside Mia Maelzer.

Sajda was once a child laborer in Delhi. She was saved by the Salaam Baalak Trust, where she currently lives at the SBT Day Care Center. Established in 1988 with funds from Mira Nair's Oscar-nominated film Salaam Bombay, the trust has co-produced Anuja in partnership with Shine Global and Krushan Naik Films.

The 2025 Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Anuja will compete in the Best Live Action Short category against A Lien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent. The film is expected to be available for streaming on Netflix later this year.

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