Short film ‘Anuja’ nominated for the 2025 Oscars

The co-director of the film Anuja, Adam J. Graves, has a deep interest in Indian culture. He decided to make the film Anuja after being inspired by the labor issues connected to the slave trade in his wife’s family. The short film Ajuna has successfully received a nomination for the 2025 Oscars. Recently, co-director Adam J. Graves spoke to the media about the making of the film, its message, and the collective efforts that went into bringing the story to life on screen. This film was created in collaboration with Suchitra Mattai. It tells the story of two sisters, Anuja (Sajda Pathan) and Palak (Ananya Shanbag), working in a garment factory in Delhi, and their struggles in life. The film is based on the global issue of child labor and also sheds light on significant themes like love and hope.
Graves further explains that one in every ten children worldwide is forced to work as child labor, which totals around 160 million children. According to Graves, he realized that very few films have been made on this subject. This prompted him to present this story to the world. His goal was to create a film that not only highlights the issue of child labor but also depicts the resilience and emotions of the children affected by it.
The collaboration of Salaam Baalak Trust was crucial in the film’s production and casting process. This organization helps children living on the streets, and it was founded by the family of filmmaker and director Mira Nair.