Mumbai, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actress and producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas has praised the Indian short film We Were Here, calling it a refreshing and witty take on a subject that has become increasingly relevant. The film has qualified for consideration at the Academy Awards.
Priyanka joined the project as an executive producer, saying she wanted to support its creative team and help the film reach a wider audience.
“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 vision is realised,” she said in a statement.
Written and directed by Pranav Bhasin, We Were Here follows three retired men in a small Indian town who fear that machines are taking over human jobs. They stage an unusual protest by pretending to be household appliances, but their campaign takes an unexpected turn when one of their children joins an artificial intelligence company.
The film has gained recognition on the international short-film circuit, with awards at festivals including South by Southwest (SXSW) and Palm Springs International ShortFest. It also had its world premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Its award at Palm Springs secured its eligibility for Academy Award consideration.
Reflecting on the project, Bhasin said the film began as a light-hearted idea about three men trying to resist the spread of AI but evolved into a story about friendship and resilience.
He said the mockumentary format helped keep the narrative grounded in real people and places while exploring the absurdity of the situation.
Bhasin described the film’s Oscar qualification as surreal, adding that he was excited to work with a group of executive producers, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actor Andrew Scott and V., to find ways of bringing the film to wider audiences.
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