Being Nominated Is A Big Thing”: Guneet Monga Reflects On ‘Anuja’s Oscar Nod Despite Losing

March 8, 2025: Producer Guneet Monga expressed her gratitude for the recognition that Anuja received at the Oscars, despite not winning the prestigious award. The short film, backed by Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga, was nominated in the Live Action Short Film category at the 2025 Oscars. Although it lost to the Dutch-language film I’m Not a Robot, Monga emphasized that just being nominated was a significant achievement.

Monga shared her joy about the nomination, saying, “Anuja is a beautiful film directed by Adam J. Graves and produced by Suchitra Mattai. I joined their journey to celebrate the film, and we’re very happy to be nominated. It’s a big thing to be in the top five in the world at the Oscars.”

Anuja entered the Oscar race after receiving critical acclaim at other prestigious film festivals, including the HollyShorts Film Festival, New York Shorts International Film Festival, and Montclair Film Festival. The narrative centers around a nine-year-old girl named Anuja, who works in a back-alley garment factory in New Delhi, and must make a life-changing decision that affects both her future and her family’s well-being.

The film was one of the five nominees in the Best Live Action Short Film category, competing against films like Alien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and A Man Who Would Not Remain Silent.

While Anuja did not take home the Oscar, Monga reflected on the experience fondly. “The journey was beautiful, and the team is amazing. We were able to bring the girls to America—it was surreal and magical. I was there for seven days, part of the entire celebration. We really enjoyed ourselves,” she said.

Though the team didn’t win, Monga acknowledged the effort it took to get there. “It would have felt worth it if we had won, but even if we didn’t, we put in so much effort, and that’s what counts. We have to keep telling our stories; it’s not always about the win but the journey and the work you put into it,” she added.

For Monga, Anuja marks her third Oscar nomination. Her previous projects, The Elephant Whisperers and Period: End of Sentence, both won Academy Awards. Reflecting on her career and the growing opportunities for women in the industry, Monga expressed, “There are so many more opportunities for women producers in India and the US now. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, and I’m excited to explore and fulfill all my dreams.”

Additionally, Monga is expanding her work to create more space for women in the film industry through Women in Film India, an initiative focused on bridging gaps in skill development for aspiring female filmmakers. “We’re trying to identify and fill those gaps to create more opportunities for women,” she said.

Monga’s involvement in Anuja also highlighted her ability to bring impactful, socially relevant stories to the forefront of global cinema, and her continued efforts are sure to inspire many more women in the industry to pursue their dreams.