Priyanka Chopra Jonas Backs Oscar-Qualified Indian Short Film ‘We Were Here’

Mumbai, Oct 31: Actor producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has joined the Indian short film We Were Here as an executive producer, lending international support to filmmaker Pranav Bhasin’s project as it prepares for its Academy Awards campaign.

The film, which explores the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and its impact on employment through an unusual comedy narrative, has already earned more than 20 awards at international film festivals. It has also screened at over 80 festivals, establishing itself as one of the Indian short films attracting attention on the global independent cinema circuit.

Chopra Jonas joins actor Andrew Scott and Tony Award-winning playwright and activist V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, as executive producers of the project.

Her association comes at an important stage for the production as it looks to expand its international reach and strengthen its campaign ahead of the 2027 Academy Awards.

Speaking about her decision to support the film, Chopra Jonas said she was attracted by its refreshing and humorous treatment of a subject that has become increasingly relevant.

“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,” she said in a statement.

Written and directed by Bhasin, We Were Here presents an unusual story about three retired men living in a small Indian town who become concerned that machines are gradually replacing human workers.

Convinced that technology is threatening livelihoods, the three men decide to protest in an unconventional manner by pretending to be household appliances. Their unusual demonstration takes an unexpected turn when one of their children joins an artificial intelligence company.

The film uses comedy and mockumentary-style storytelling to examine wider concerns about technological development, job security and the possibility of people becoming irrelevant in an increasingly automated world.

Rather than approaching artificial intelligence through a conventional science-fiction narrative, Bhasin has chosen to explore its implications through ordinary characters whose fears and reactions reflect anxieties shared by many people.

The central idea revolves around the relationship between technological progress and human identity. As machines become increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally handled by people, questions about employment, dignity and the future of work have become important subjects of public discussion.

Through its three elderly protagonists, the film approaches these questions from the perspective of people who feel left behind by rapid changes in society.

The unusual protest staged by the characters provides the film with its comic foundation, while the developments involving their families introduce another dimension to the narrative.

Bhasin has described the project as beginning with a simple and humorous idea about three men attempting to stop the spread of artificial intelligence.

Reflecting on the film’s journey, he said he gradually developed an emotional connection with the characters, their friendship and their determination.

The filmmaker also expressed excitement about receiving support from established international personalities, including Chopra Jonas, Scott and V.

He said the backing of such prominent creative figures was particularly meaningful as the film moved towards its next stage of international exposure.

The director’s association with independent cinema began at a young age. His earlier short films, Wolf of Chawl Street and New Year’s Eve, received recognition at the Mumbai Film Festival in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Wolf of Chawl Street won the Silver Dimensions award in 2017, while New Year’s Eve received the Best Short award the following year.

We Were Here represents another significant achievement in his filmmaking journey, with its international festival success bringing wider attention to his work.

The film’s global journey began at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, where it received the Canal+ Prize. The festival is regarded as an important international platform for short-form cinema and has helped introduce several independent filmmakers to wider audiences.

It subsequently secured major recognition at South by Southwest (SXSW), winning the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short and the Redbreast Unhidden Award.

Another important milestone came at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, where the production received awards for Best Live-Action Short Film Under 15 Minutes and Best Comedy Short.

The Palm Springs recognition proved particularly significant because the award secured the film’s eligibility for Academy Award consideration.

Its growing list of festival achievements has helped position the project for a wider international campaign.

The film has also attracted the attention of The New Yorker, which has acquired it and is scheduled to premiere it through the publication’s official YouTube channels.

The association provides the production with another opportunity to reach audiences beyond the traditional film festival circuit.

For an independent short film, securing distribution and visibility through an internationally recognised publication represents an important development, particularly when the project is preparing for an awards campaign.

The production features Satish Kashyap, Devendra Dodke and Arindol Bagchi in the central roles of the three retired men. Shubham Kujur, Kalpana Gagdekar and Yash Gonsai are also part of the cast.

Yash Gonsai, Dheer Momaya and Dar Gai have produced the film, which is presented by SPLF Media and Aarti Lohia.

Its technical team includes cinematographer Rajiv Malu, production designer Lavanya Grover, editor Pralay Valanju and music composer Yash Sahai.

The addition of Chopra Jonas and other international personalities to the executive production team is expected to increase the film’s visibility as it enters the awards season.

Chopra Jonas has maintained a strong presence in both Indian and international entertainment industries. After establishing herself as one of Bollywood’s leading performers, she expanded her career into Hollywood through television, films and international production ventures.

Her work in the American television series Quantico brought her wider recognition among international audiences. She subsequently appeared in several Hollywood projects, including Baywatch, Isn’t It Romantic, The White Tiger and Love Again.

As a producer, she has also supported projects that focus on different cultural experiences and independent storytelling.

Her involvement in We Were Here adds another Indian independent production to her growing list of international creative associations.

Andrew Scott, who has also joined the executive production team, is widely recognised for his performances in television, theatre and cinema. His work in Fleabag and Sherlock brought him international popularity, while his performances in independent films and stage productions have earned critical appreciation.

V, formerly known as Eve Ensler, is an internationally recognised playwright, performer and activist. She is best known for creating The Vagina Monologues, a theatrical work that became an important part of conversations surrounding women’s experiences and rights.

Their involvement gives the film a combination of support from Indian cinema, international acting and theatre, and socially engaged creative communities.

The subject of artificial intelligence has become increasingly prominent across the entertainment industry, with filmmakers exploring its potential effects on employment, creativity and everyday life.

While several productions have approached the subject through futuristic settings and technological thrillers, We Were Here takes a more grounded route by focusing on ordinary people responding to changes they do not fully understand.

Its comic treatment also allows the film to raise serious questions without relying on an overtly dramatic approach.

The success of the project at international festivals suggests that its central theme has connected with audiences from different cultural backgrounds.

The film’s Academy Award eligibility marks an important achievement, although qualification does not guarantee a nomination. It will have to compete with other eligible productions during the Academy’s selection process.

The campaign will therefore be crucial in determining how far the short film progresses in the awards race.

For the Indian independent film community, the project’s international recognition offers another example of how small productions can find audiences through strong storytelling and festival exposure.

With more than 20 awards, screenings at over 80 international festivals and an upcoming digital premiere through The New Yorker, We Were Here has already achieved considerable visibility.

The backing of Chopra Jonas, Andrew Scott and V is expected to further strengthen its profile as the filmmakers work towards reaching a wider international audience.

As the 2027 Academy Awards campaign approaches, the short film will seek to build on its festival success and bring its humorous yet thought-provoking portrayal of artificial intelligence and human resilience to an even larger audience.