Priyanka Chopra’s Anuja gets OTT release ahead of Oscars – Where to watch it?

New Delhi: After securing an Academy Award nomination, Anuja is now gearing up for its digital premiere. The release comes just weeks before the 97th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 3 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The New Delhi-set short film, co-produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mindy Kaling and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, will be available for streaming on Netflix next month. Scroll down to read the details about its OTT release!

Anuja OTT release date and platform

Netflix India officially announced the film’s streaming date on Wednesday, sharing a trailer along with the caption, “ANUJA is a story of resilience, sisterhood, and hope. The Academy Award-nominated Live Action Short Film comes to Netflix February 5.”

Take a look below!

 

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The digital premiere strategically aligns with awards season buzz and will ensure a wider audience gets to watch the film before its big night at the Oscars 2025.

Anuja movie story

Anuja is an emotional account of a gifted nine-year-old girl who faces a life-altering choice: pursuing her education or working in a factory alongside her sister. This decision will shape their futures and highlight the harsh realities many children face in India. Starring Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag, the film brings an emotional depth that resonates beyond the screen.

Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai directed the short, with Guneet Monga serving as an executive producer and Mindy Kaling taking on the producer’s role. Recently, Priyanka Chopra Jonas also joined the project as an executive producer.

Anuja at the Oscars 2025

The film is nominated for Best Live-Action Short Academy Awards. It will compete against A Lien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent. The nomination marks another milestone for Guneet Monga, whose previous productions, The Elephant Whisperers (2023) and Period. End of Sentence (2019), both won Academy Awards.

The film was made in collaboration with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a non-profit founded by filmmaker Mira Nair’s family to support street and working children. Shine Global and Krushan Naik Films also contributed to the production.

Controversy over Anuja’s recognition

While the film celebrates its Oscar nod, it has also stirred controversy. Veteran TV director Vinta Nanda criticised the Academy system, claiming that influential producers like Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga overshadow the film’s creators. This debate comes amid disappointment for another Indian film, Santosh, which failed to secure a nomination at the 97th Academy Awards.