India at the Oscars 2025: Nomination, controversy, history, how to celebrate, OTT platform, time, date & more

The Oscars. The grandest stage for cinema, where dreams take flight or shatter in an instant. Over the years, India has had a bittersweet love affair with the Academy Awards where sometimes it was celebrated, sometimes overlooked, but always fighting for its rightful place. And here we are in 2025, with a single nomination, a storm of controversy, and an industry divided between hope and heartbreak.

Anuja is India¡¯s hope at Oscars 2025

In a year where India expected multiple contenders to storm Hollywood¡¯s biggest night, we¡¯ve found ourselves rallying behind just one, i.e. Anuja. A short film, but one carrying the weight of a million untold stories. Directed by philosopher-turned-filmmaker Adam J. Graves, Anuja is a gut punch to reality.

At its heart is a gifted 9-year-old girl and her 17-year-old sister, Palak, fighting to survive the harsh conditions of a Delhi garment factory. The story unfolds when Anuja gets an opportunity of a lifetime - an admission to an elite boarding school. But dreams come at a price, and in her world, even hope feels like a betrayal.

What makes Anuja more powerful? The lead actress, Sajda Pathan, has lived her role. Once a child struggling on the streets, she was rescued by the Salaam Baalak Trust, the very NGO that supported the film¡¯s making. If there was ever a film that deserved the Oscar, it¡¯s this. With a win at the HollyShorts Film Festival and the Audience Award at Montclair, Anuja is already a strong contender.

But will the Academy reward a story that exposes the raw truth of capitalism, class, and the struggles of India's invisible children? You can experience this heart-wrenching masterpiece yourself. Anuja is available to stream on Netflix.

Why is India at the Oscars 2025 so controversial?

While Anuja is basking in the limelight, another Indian film, All We Imagine as Light is stuck in the shadows, despite its several international feats. Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film won the Grand Prix at Cannes, a feat no Indian film has managed in decades. It tells the story of two Mumbai nurses strolling through life, friendship, and the patriarchy. By all standards, this was the film India should have sent to the Oscars for Best International Feature.

But guess what? It wasn¡¯t even selected. The snub sparked a raging debate about why India struggles to pick the right films for Oscar submission? Why do our most artistically ambitious films get left behind while mainstream entries keep getting the nod? Did All We Imagine as Light get robbed, or was it just an unfortunate oversight? As the film world debates, fans are left wondering: If Cannes could recognize its brilliance, why couldn¡¯t our own selection committee?

India has a legacy of hits and misses at the Oscars

• India has had its fair share of Oscar moments with some glorious, some frustrating. We¡¯ve been there when:
• Lagaan (2001) made history as a Best Foreign Language Film nominee.
• A.R. Rahman, Resul Pookutty and Gulzar brought home Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire (2008).
• The Elephant Whisperers (2023) and RRR¡¯s Naatu Naatu (2023) shook up the Academy.

But for every win, there¡¯s been heartbreak. The Lunchbox was snubbed. Tumbbad was ignored. Court never got its due. And now, All We Imagine as Light is walking the same path.

When and where to watch Oscars 2025 in India?

Indian viewers can catch the award ceremony live on Monday, March 3, 2025, starting at 5:30 AM IST. The event will be broadcast on Star Movies and Star Movies Select, and can also be streamed live on Jio Hotstar.

How to make the Oscars a full-blown desi affair?

For those who live and breathe cinema, Oscar night is sacred. And if you want to turn this into a full-fledged desi-style celebration, here¡¯s how:

• Bollywood meets Hollywood dress code: Rock your best saree, kurta, or go full-on Bollywood glam. Maybe think Koffee With Karan but make it Oscars.
• Indian snacks topped with Hollywood drama: Ditch the popcorn. Think samosas, masala fries, and jalebi to keep up with all the highs and lows.
• Play prediction games: Who will win? Who will cry? Who will deliver the best speech? Have a friendly bet with your friends and see who¡¯s the real movie buff.
• Watch party vibes: Stream the show with friends, go live-tweeting, or just scream at the TV when your favorite film gets snubbed.

Will India take home the gold this year?

If Anuja wins, it won¡¯t just be an Oscar moment but certainly a statement. A statement that Indian stories matter. That the world is finally paying attention to the cinema we create. But even if it doesn¡¯t, the conversation has begun. The debate around India¡¯s Oscar selections, the global recognition of Payal Kapadia¡¯s work, and the future of Indian films on the world stage; these are battles worth fighting.

Because one day, we won¡¯t just hope for an Oscar win. We¡¯ll expect it. Till then, let¡¯s raise a toast (with chai, obviously) to the stories that refuse to be ignored!

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.