Priyanka Chopra Jonas backs Oscar-qualified short film 'We Were Here'
Synopsis
An Indian short film about three retired men who dress as household appliances to protest AI job losses has earned Oscar qualification — and Priyanka Chopra Jonas as an executive producer. 'We Were Here' won at SXSW, Palm Springs, and Clermont-Ferrand, turning a 'small, silly idea' by debut director Pranav Bhasin into one of Indian short cinema's biggest international moments.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has joined We Were Here as executive producer, calling it 'a refreshing, witty take on a very timely subject.' The Indian short film is now Oscar-qualified , with eligibility secured via a win at the Palm Springs International ShortFest .
The film also screened at SXSW and had its world premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival .
Written and directed by Pranav Bhasin , the mockumentary follows three retired men who impersonate appliances to protest AI-driven job losses.
Other executive producers include actors Andrew Scott and V .
Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has come on board as executive producer of the Indian short film We Were Here, which has earned qualification for Academy Award consideration. Chopra Jonas described the film as offering 'a refreshing, witty take on a subject that feels very timely,' underscoring her enthusiasm for amplifying the project on a global stage.
What the Film Is About
We Were Here follows three retired men in a small Indian town who, convinced that machines are displacing human workers, stage an unusual protest by impersonating household appliances. Their act of defiance takes an unexpected turn when one of their children joins an artificial intelligence company. The film uses a mockumentary format to ground its absurdist premise in recognisable, everyday Indian reality.
Festival Journey and Oscar Eligibility
The short film built considerable momentum on the international festival circuit before its Oscar qualification. It screened at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, the Palm Springs International ShortFest, and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, where it had its world premiere. Notably, the Palm Springs award was the key milestone that secured the film's eligibility for Academy Award consideration.
The Director's Perspective
Writer-director Pranav Bhasin described the film's origins as 'a small, silly idea about three uncles trying to stop the spread of AI,' adding that he 'fell in love with them, their friendships, and their stubborn resilience' as the project evolved. Reflecting on the Oscar qualification, Bhasin said he was 'still figuring out how to process it,' noting that he followed 'an idea that felt wild to me, all the way to the end' without certainty it would resonate beyond his own imagination.
Bhasin also credited an accomplished group of executive producers, stating: 'As a young filmmaker, I find it pretty surreal to have a tribe of highly accomplished and committed EPs, including Andrew Scott, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and V. We're all really excited to find creative ways to get this film to wider audiences.'
Broader Significance
The film arrives at a moment when anxieties around artificial intelligence and job displacement have moved from fringe concern to mainstream debate — in India and globally. By wrapping that tension in satire and mockumentary humour, We Were Here joins a small but growing body of Indian short-form cinema finding traction at elite international festivals. With a high-profile EP roster and Oscar eligibility now confirmed, the campaign for a nomination is well and truly under way.
Point of View
Which rarely makes it past the festival-circuit buzz to serious awards contention. Priyanka Chopra Jonas's involvement is strategically significant — she carries cross-market visibility that can translate festival credibility into mainstream media traction. What is easy to miss in the star power, however, is the sharper story: a debut director from India getting a mockumentary about AI anxiety to the doorstep of the Academy is as much a statement about the global appetite for non-English, non-Hollywood storytelling as it is about any individual film's quality. Whether it converts qualification into a nomination will depend on the campaign — but the infrastructure is now visibly in place.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'We Were Here' and why is it generating buzz?
'We Were Here' is an Indian short film directed by Pranav Bhasin about three retired men in a small Indian town who dress as household appliances to protest AI-driven job losses. It has earned Oscar qualification after winning awards at Palm Springs, SXSW, and Clermont-Ferrand, and has Priyanka Chopra Jonas among its executive producers.
How did 'We Were Here' become Oscar-qualified?
The film secured Academy Award eligibility through its win at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, which is one of the recognised qualifying festivals for the Oscars. Prior festival wins at SXSW and Clermont-Ferrand also boosted the film's profile ahead of its awards campaign.
What is Priyanka Chopra Jonas's role in the film?
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an executive producer on 'We Were Here.' She stated she joined to 'amplify this creative team,' describing the film as offering a witty and timely perspective on AI and job displacement.
Who are the other executive producers of 'We Were Here'?
Alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the film's executive producers include actor Andrew Scott and the artist known as V. Director Pranav Bhasin described the group as 'highly accomplished and committed EPs.'
What is the film's central theme?
'We Were Here' uses mockumentary humour to explore anxieties around artificial intelligence and job displacement. The plot takes an ironic turn when one of the protesting men's children joins an AI company, giving the film a generational and socio-economic dimension beyond its satirical surface.
