Mindy Kaling and Adam J. Graves Reveal the Heartfelt Story Behind Their Oscar-Nominated Short

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In just 28 minutes after sending Mindy Kaling their short film depicting the lives of two young Indian girls, Adam J. Graves and his wife, Suchitra Mattai, received a response.

Despite the distinctly different tone compared to other projects I’ve been involved with, Kaling explains to The Hollywood Reporter about joining this short as a producer, “There seems to be a deep connection, almost spiritual, between me and these female maturity tales that Anuja is telling.

Together with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Guneet Monga, Mindy Kaling took part and gave the film a strong start during this awards season. As a result, the movie found its way onto Netflix, and the team is now set to attend the Oscars this year as nominees for the category of best live action short.

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Alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Guneet Monga, Mindy Kaling joined forces, propelling the film forward in this awards season. The effort paid off: Netflix acquired the film, and they are now nominated at the Oscars this year for the category of best live action short.

The film titled Anuja, helmed by Graves with Mattai as a co-writer, tells the tale of a remarkably talented nine-year-old girl named Sajda Pathan who labors in a clothing factory in bustling New Delhi. When an extraordinary opportunity to attend school presents itself, she confronts a deeply emotional dilemma that will significantly impact her life and that of her sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag), shaping their destiny.

I, being one of the fortunate ones who was nurtured by the Salaam Baalak Trust’s performing arts program in India, found myself in a role that has now gained international recognition at the Oscars. Little did I know about this prestigious event, but when my crew enlightened me about its grandeur, I couldn’t help but feel elated! It’s a tremendous honor to represent India on such a global stage. Our film tells a heartwarming tale of two sisters and their profound bond. I believe the audience resonates with this story because it tugs at universal emotions – love and sisterhood.

Anuja was born from the shocking global child labor statistics experienced by Graves and Mattai, yet there’s a significant, youthful exuberance when it comes to a coming-of-age story, according to Kaling. “Often, when we see children in India facing difficult circumstances, viewers jump to broad conclusions about India,” said Kaling. “What I admired about this was its subtlety. It’s not overly grim.

Kaling and Graves discussed Anuja’s Oscar prospects for THR, securing famous faces to join their low-budget venture and sharing their takes on the movie’s enigmatic finale: “We didn’t want a typical Hollywood or Bollywood ending. That wasn’t the film’s intention.

Mindy, Adam: congratulations on your Oscar nomination. How did Anuja arrive at your door?

Mindy Kaling reached out to artist Suchitra Mattai, whom she had admired for years, expressing her interest in purchasing one of her pieces. They began an online friendship, and one day, Suchitra emailed Mindy about a film she had made with her husband. Intrigued, Mindy watched the short film, but found it didn’t seem comedic based on the logline provided. However, when she saw the final product, she was impressed by its beauty, quality, and strong performances. Mindy has a special affection for coming-of-age stories, and even though this project had a different tone than her previous work, she felt a deep connection to the female coming-of-age narrative that Suchitra’s film presented, which reminded her of the character Anuja.

ADAM J. GRAVES It’s amusing since projects like those led by Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga, and Priyanka [Chopra Jonas] are now associated with it, making it seem grand due to Netflix involvement. However, the truth is that it started as a modest endeavor between me, my spouse, and some close acquaintances of ours in Delhi. We assembled this humble, scrappy production over five days on a tight budget.

The show focuses on the strong bond between sisters and the struggle for women’s education in India. Which aspects were you aiming to emphasize on a global platform?

KALING What truly captivates me is the struggle for girls’ education globally, especially in India. Narratives about young girls balancing personal aspirations against family obligations are rare yet intriguing, and this short film showcases that beautifully. The protagonist, a 9-10-year-old girl, faces a significant decision, which I find incredibly engaging. What makes it even more compelling is the uplifting tone of the story. Often, media portrayals of children in difficult circumstances in India lead to broad stereotypes. However, this film presents a nuanced perspective, avoiding the grimness that often characterizes such narratives. The characters, particularly the girls and the garment shop owner, are endearing and humorous. I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful execution of the script, which is both well-written and subtly understated. I believe Adam and Suchitra have done a fantastic job with this production.

As a passionate observer, I’ve always found labor matters deeply personal due to my wife’s family history. Her ancestors, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, were relocated by the British to work on Guyana’s sugar plantations post-abolition of slavery. They arrived as indentured laborers, a new source of labor for the British colonies. My academic background in South Asian Studies has allowed me to delve deeper into this history, spending five formative years in India, studying at the prestigious Banaras Hindu University.

When brainstorming a coming-of-age narrative, we stumbled upon the topic of labor issues. A statistic that caught my wife’s eye particularly resonated with us – one out of ten children worldwide is involved in child labor. This seemed unbelievably high to us. That translates to around 160 million, which is nearly half the population of the United States! This startling fact ignited our curiosity, leading us to delve into scholarly works focusing on child labor within the garment industry, particularly in South Asia. Before we knew it, we were visiting sites in Delhi and talking with children who were either still working or attending school.

Hey Adam, could you share with us some additional insights about the fascinating background behind the selection of your two talented actresses?

In our case, we struck gold. We believed it was essential to depict this world authentically, and casting locals seemed the best approach. However, we were mindful of potential issues as many NGOs work with children whose families rely on their earnings to survive, making school attendance a challenge. We didn’t want to interfere with the NGOs’ work. Remarkably, the Salaam Baalak Trust stood out because it was founded by Mira Nair’s family – a renowned international film director who produced Salaam Bombay! in the 1980s. Her mother set up this foundation to aid street children, which has a thriving performing arts program due to its history. This made it an ideal choice for our production needs.

In our production, we received numerous child actors eager for their audition. However, we also sourced tapes from various children’s charities and residential homes, such as the Salaam Baalak Trust. Among these, Anaya’s audition stood out exceptionally. Her performance was so unique that it left us spellbound, causing us to abandon further viewings. We were captivated by her past experience, evident in her eyes, movements, and demeanor. We instinctively knew she was the perfect fit. Interestingly, Anaya had no acting background; however, she is a skilled Bharatanatyam dancer, a classical Indian dance form known for its expressive nature, particularly through eye movements. Her performance left us in awe of the emotions she conveyed with her facial expressions.

Their portrayal of sisters is so convincing.

ANANYA AND SAJDA Ananya’s younger sibling is Sajda, and she has an elder sister. Prior to our filming, we arranged for them to spend some time together to foster their relationship. From the instant they encountered each other, it was as if they were two peas in a pod. We stayed at a hotel in Delhi for approximately eight to nine days as a group. They would travel together in the same vehicle, often taking naps or even sleeping in each other’s embrace. It was truly heartwarming to witness their bond grow stronger day by day.

Would you be willing to share your thoughts on how the story might continue? In the ending, Anuja finds herself torn between supporting her sister and taking an exam, while Palak gets hurt during sewing. What do you think will happen next?

KALING One intriguing aspect for me, being a filmmaker and TV creator, is that my creative mind begins spinning with all the potential directions this could take. I truly appreciate that kind of ending. As a writer, I enjoy contemplating: “Where might this story lead next?” Naturally, I’ve suggested to Adam whether he would expand this into a feature film or a series focusing on these characters, perhaps even a miniseries. Although I haven’t explicitly asked for his opinion, I’m curious to know if he considers the ending’s implications as deeply as I do. He may express his thoughts about the finale more eloquently than I can.

One recurring theme in our research is discovering countless children and their families who are forced to make a heart-wrenching decision: either prioritize education for potential future success, or help support their impoverished families by contributing financially. This dilemma appears insurmountable. It’s a choice no child should ever have to confront. I aimed to evoke this distressing reality in our film, making the audience feel the existential struggle these children endure daily. I knew from the outset that our movie wouldn’t provide a conventional Hollywood or Bollywood ending, as that isn’t the purpose of our film.

In our research, we found many kids and their families facing a tough choice – either pursue education for future success or help support their poor families financially. This is an impossible decision, one no child should have to make. I wanted the audience to feel this difficult reality in our movie, understanding the daily struggle these children face. Our film doesn’t offer a typical Hollywood or Bollywood ending because that’s not its purpose.

I’d also like to inquire about your Oscar nomination. I understand that it’s not the primary reason you take on this role, but it surely adds a delightful touch. Did you anticipate it, or did the recognition catch you off guard?

GRAVES During the making of the movie, I felt that we were capturing something truly exceptional, as the children delivered such remarkable performances. It was like trying to bottle lightning. However, we had very little faith in its success. We weren’t sure if anyone would watch this film or if it was just a personal project for our children and parents. If it didn’t do well, then it would simply be practice, helping me grow as a director and learning more about the art of filmmaking. Initially, we didn’t get accepted into the premier festival we applied to. We thought perhaps this was something we’d only appreciate ourselves. I don’t think anyone anticipated the level of attention it would receive.

However, I believe that these children and their performances deserved recognition, but we never dared to hope for it.

It’s frustrating, but getting names such as Mindy or Priyanka on board makes people pay attention.

MINDY KALING’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE FILM Essentially, having celebrities involved in a project can help draw attention to it, as Mindy has done with this film. She’s not just attached; she’s fully committed, ensuring the film gets distributed, shown to the right people, and getting the word out. This dedication has been crucial. Keep in mind that these individuals have very busy schedules – Mindy is currently managing at least two shows concurrently, one of which is about to premiere. Yet, she responded to our email regarding the film within 28 minutes. It’s a testament to how fortunate anyone who succeeds in this industry truly is, given the immense pool of talented individuals creating remarkable content that may otherwise go unnoticed due to the challenges of breaking through. Having advocates like Mindy, Guneet, and now Priyanka Chopra is a significant advantage.

Mindy, as you’ve mentioned, this seems quite distinct from your usual style. You’re well-known for your comedic prowess. Fancy exploring similar territory further?

KALING As a member of the Academy, I have the Academy app, and recently, I watched I’m Still Here with Fernanda Torres, and I was struck by how different it was. I draw a lot of inspiration from dramas and stories that come from outside our country, and yes, I’d love to delve into writing a drama myself. What really fuels my creativity is witnessing productions like Anuja, being part of the process, and observing Adam and Suchitra’s journey. It feels like my role is to always be learning. Now that I have access to so many talented artists, I can simply ask them questions. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing with Adam, who managed to create something similar on a shoestring budget in India, including casting and location scouting. Even the challenge of finding locations while based in Los Angeles was incredibly inspiring to me.

Will you be repping Anuja at the Oscars come March?

KALING I’m eager for it! We haven’t delved into the specifics just yet, but rest assured, it promises to be an incredibly thrilling evening at the Dolby Theatre.

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2025-02-26 02:26