Priyanka Chopra, a global star, is overjoyed to have been named executive producer for the Oscar-nominated movie Anuja. Variety provided this update.
Anuja revolves around the nine-year-old title character, who works in a back alley garment factory alongside her older sister Palak. The story follows the young protagonist as she makes a decision that affects both her future and her family.
In a statement about her association with the film, Priyanka said, “This beautiful film shines a spotlight on a subject that affects millions of children around the world, who are faced with the impossible decision between a future they cannot yet see and the immediate realities of their present.”
She said, “Anuja is a poignant, thought-provoking piece that forces us to consider the power of choices and how they shape the course of our lives. I am extremely proud to be associated with such an amazing and impactful project.”
The film was made in collaboration with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a non-profit founded by Mira Nair’s family to help street and working children, Shine Global, known for Academy Award-winning films War/Dance (2007) and Inocente (2012), and Krushan Naik Films. Mindy Kaling is a producer on the film. Oscar winner Guneet Monga Kapoor has also joined Anuja as a producer.
This could be Monga’s third Oscar nomination. Her previous films, The Elephant Whisperers and Period: End of Sentence, won Oscars, bringing recognition to Indian cinema.
Aside from Anuja, another Indian film still in the Oscar race is Santosh, a British-Indian film directed by Sandhya Suri. Santosh, which stars Shahana Goswami, is the UK’s official Oscar entry. The film premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section.
