Anuja Actress Ananya Shanbhag Attended The Oscars In style Take A Look

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Guneet Monga backed Anuja was nominated at the 97th Academy Awards, however, the film failed to bag an award. Despite missing out on the honour of the night, actress Ananya Shanbhag turned a lot of heads with her appearance at the Oscars 2025. The 21-year-old performing arts student and Bharatanatyam dancer from Mumbai played a pivotal role in the acclaimed short film.

She graced the Oscars 2025 red carpet in a handcrafted Pranaah ensemble. Inspired by her artistry as a Bharatanatyam dancer, the look was a seamless blend of handwoven textiles, intricate embroidery and contemporary elegance. Completing the look, exquisite jewellery by Kavya Potluri added a touch off timeless sophistication, perfectly complementing the ensembles fusion of tradition and modernity. Ananya’s look was designed by actress Poornima Indrajith. 

Anuja was shortlisted in the Best Live Action Short category at the Oscars but it lost to Dutch sci-fi film I’m Not a Robot. Other films that were nominated in this category are The Last Ranger, A Lien and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent.  

The story follows Anuja (played by Sajda Pathan), a gifted nine-year-old girl, and her seventeen-year-old sister, Palak (played by Ananya Shanbhag), as they labor in a back-alley garment factory. When a compassionate teacher offers Anuja the chance to attend an elite boarding school, the sisters face challenges that test their bond and resilience, culminating in a life-altering decision—one faced by countless young girls worldwide.

The film has the backing of a remarkable team of producers, including Suchitra Mattai, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Krushan Naik, Aaron Kopp, Devananda Graves, Michael Graves, Ksheetij Saini and Alexandra Blaney. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Anita Bhatia served as Executive Producers on Anuja.