Mumbai Husband and wife team, Adam J. Anuja, created by Graves (director) and Suchitra Mattai (producer), tells an inspiring story of two sisters struggling to find happiness and opportunity in a world intent on exploiting and excluding them. This powerful short story centers on nineyearold orphan Anuja, who works in a backalley garment factory with her elder sister Palak, when suddenly she gets a rare opportunity that will decide her future and the fate of her family. Anuja won the OscarQualifying Live Action Short Award at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival and has been shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars. Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been added to the team as an executive producer in her pivotal role. When nineyearold orphan Anuja leaves school to work with her sister in a local textile factory, she finds herself faced with a choice that will determine her future and the fate of her family.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a multitalented artist and New York Times bestselling author who has enthralled global audiences for nearly 25 years. His diverse work has earned him numerous awards as both an actor and producer. She will soon star in Prime Video's highly anticipated feature film Heads of State alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in The Bluff and season two of Prime Video's hit series “Citadel.”
Priyanka executive produced the Oscarnominated and awardwinning feature documentary “To Kill a Tiger” and has both starred in and executive produced Netflix's Oscarnominated film 'The White Tiger'. Priyanka Chopra Jonas says “This beautiful film sheds light on a topic that affects millions of children around the world, who are faced with the impossible decision between the immediate realities of their present and the future they can envision. Can't see yet.
Anuja is an emotional, thoughtprovoking film that forces us to contemplate deeply on the power of choices and how these choices determine the direction of our lives. I am extremely proud to be associated with such a groundbreaking and impactful project.” Anuja was created in partnership with Salaam Balak Trust (SBT), a nonprofit organization that supports street and working children. Shine Global, the production company behind Emmy and Academy Awardwinning films such as WarDance (2007) and The Innocent (2012). Made in partnership with Krishna Naik Films.
Adding authenticity to the narrative, lead actress Sajda Pathan draws from her own experiences, having lived with her sister on the streets of Old Delhi, and recently found a home with the Salaam Balak Trust. Adam J. Graves (writerdirector) wrote, directed, and produced the awardwinning short film Cycle Vérit (2021) and produced and edited the documentary short film The Other Side of the Sun (2024). He is married to acclaimed visual artist Suchitra Mattai (creator of ANUJA).
Suchitra Mattai (Producer) is a multidisciplinary artist of South Asian descent whose work celebrates the power of women, reimagines historical narratives, and explores her family's history of indentured labor. Guneet Monga Kapoor is an Indian film producer, Academy Award winner and BAFTA nominee, and one of the first producers from India to be invited to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Recently, Guneet became the first producer from India to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short for the Indianmade 'The Elephant Whispers' (2023). Mindy Kaling Kaling is best known for her starring role in the American version of “The Office” and her own show, “The Mindy Project.”
He is also known for producing hit films like “Never Have I Ever” for Netflix and “Sex Life of College Girls” for HBO Max. Anuja had its world premiere at the Deadcenter Film Festival and won Best Live Action Short at the HollyShorts Film Festival. The film has been shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars®. – Top News Bulletin Network
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Image Credit: Khaskhabar.