Producer Guneet Monga Kapoor is back in the Oscar buzz with her live-action short film, *Anuja*. The film, executive produced by Guneet, has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards. Known for her Oscar-winning projects like *Period: End of Sentence* and *The Elephant Whisperers*, Guneet continues to make waves in the international film scene.
Set in the backdrop of a garment factory, *Anuja* tells the story of a nine-year-old girl who faces a life-changing decision. The film has already been showcased at multiple festivals and secured several awards. Guneet credits a mix of intuition, hustle, and love for storytelling as her secret ingredients for success.
When asked why the Oscars matter to Indians, Guneet kept it simple, “The whole of India watches it.” Her business partner, Achin Jain, explained further, calling the Oscars the “culmination point” of international awards. It’s a triumph not only for filmmakers but also for Indian cinema’s global reach.
Guneet’s production house, Sikhya Entertainment, functions democratically, valuing every team member’s voice. Despite operating in a star-obsessed industry, Guneet and Achin believe producers are crucial in supporting directors and highlighting stories. Their collaboration remains balanced, with Achin jokingly describing their dynamic as “70,000 feet in the sky versus 35,000 feet underground.”
Exciting projects lie ahead for Sikhya Entertainment, including upcoming thrillers starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. Guneet’s partnership with Dharma Productions, helmed by Karan Johar, continues to thrive as they aim to back solid cinema, regardless of genre. She embraces empowering partnerships, believing deeply in enabling others, especially women in the industry.
As Guneet dreams of another Oscar, she emphasizes hard work and blessings as her guiding principles. With *Anuja* representing India, the world will find out on January 17 if it makes it to the final five. For now, Guneet’s infectious optimism and dedication show she’s unstoppable. Fingers crossed for another moment of global pride for Indian cinema!