Priyanka Chopra Joins Oscar-Qualified 'We Were Here' as Executive Producer
Priyanka Chopra joins Andrew Scott and V as executive producer for the Oscar-qualified Indian short film 'We Were Here'.
Global icon Priyanka Chopra has officially joined the team of the Oscar-qualified Indian short film 'We Were Here' as an executive producer. The project, written and directed by filmmaker Pranav Bhasin, is now gearing up for its Academy Awards campaign following an impressive run across the international film festival circuit.
Priyanka joins a heavyweight lineup of executive producers, including acclaimed actor Andrew Scott and the Tony Award-winning playwright and activist V (formerly known as Eve Ensler). The film has already garnered significant attention, winning over 20 awards from more than 80 international festivals.
A Witty Take on AI and Obsolescence
'We Were Here' tells a quirky yet poignant story set in a small Indian town. The plot revolves around three retired men who are convinced that machines are stealing human jobs. In a bizarre and humorous act of protest, the trio decides to impersonate household appliances to make their point.
The narrative takes a sharp turn when one of their children begins working for an artificial intelligence company. By blending comedy with deep questions about employment and the fear of becoming obsolete, the film examines how ordinary individuals navigate a world being rapidly reshaped by technology.
"This film offers a refreshing, witty take on a subject that feels very timely. I jumped at the opportunity to come on board as an Executive Producer to amplify this creative team and ensure their brilliant, original vision gets the spotlight it deserves," Priyanka stated in a press note.
The Road to the Oscars
The film's journey toward Academy Award eligibility was paved by several prestigious wins. It secured the Canal+ Prize at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, where it made its world premiere. It also took home the Redbreast Unhidden Award and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short at South by Southwest (SXSW).
The crucial milestone came at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, where the film won Best Comedy Short and Best Live-Action Short Film Under 15 Minutes, officially qualifying it for Oscar consideration.
A Dream Realized for Pranav Bhasin
For director Pranav Bhasin, who began his filmmaking journey at the age of 13, the film's success is almost surreal. Bhasin previously gained recognition at MAMI in 2017 and 2018 for his shorts Wolf of Chawl Street and New Year's Eve.
Reflecting on the creation of 'We Were Here', Bhasin shared that the project started as a "small, silly idea" about uncles fighting the spread of AI, but evolved into a story about stubborn resilience and friendship. He expressed his excitement about having a "tribe" of accomplished executive producers like Priyanka Chopra and Andrew Scott to help bring the film to a wider global audience.
Expanding Reach and Production Credits
In another major win, the film has been acquired by The New Yorker and is scheduled to premiere on the publication's official YouTube channels, providing a massive platform ahead of the awards season.
The extensive executive producing team also includes:
- Peter S. Kim and Nalini Sharma (Basement Video)
- Neha Kaul, Megha Kadakia, Priya Giri Desai, and Shruti Ganguly (Prism Entertainment)
- Shivani Pandya Malhotra, Film Companion Studios, Anjula Acharia, and Pan Nalin
The film was produced by Yash Gonsai, Dheer Momaya, and Dar Gai, and presented by SPLF Media and Aarti Lohia. The technical brilliance of the film is credited to cinematographer Rajiv Malu, production designer Lavanya Grover, editor Pralay Valanju, and music composer Yash Sahai.