A tale of aspirations and resilience: Anuja

 Dr Ramandeep Mahal reviews 'Anuja'.

Generally, we watch movies that entertain us—ones with happy endings where actors dance around. But this one is different, and it’s available on Netflix. Anuja is a live-action short film that was even nominated for an Oscar. I genuinely believe it deserved the award.

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Directed by Adam Graves and produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mindy Kaling, and Guneet Monga (who also won an Oscar for The Elephant Whisperers), Anuja is a gripping twenty-two-minute film. From the very first scene, it draws you in. The film portrays the harsh reality of extreme poverty while also capturing the aspirations, dreams, and fantasies of children caught in these circumstances.

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The story follows nine-year-old Anuja (Sajda Pathan), an orphan living with her elder sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag). Palak works at a sewing factory, and Anuja helps her in every way she can. We soon learn that Anuja is brilliant in mathematics, and Palak encourages her to join a boarding school. However, their factory owner, the lewd-eyed, paan-chewing Mr. Verma (portrayed by Nagesh Bhosle), is an unsettling presence in every scene. Meanwhile, an educationist, Mr. Mishra (Gulshan Walia), urges Anuja to take a scholarship exam, but she remains caught in a dilemma.

The film’s ending provokes deep thought. The sisters live in dilapidated conditions, yet they share an undying spirit. Palak secretly saves scraps of fabric from the factory to sew tote bags. Mr. Verma, aware of Anuja’s talent, offers her another job—but only if she agrees not to take the exam, forcing Anuja to make a difficult choice. The film subtly yet powerfully addresses the issue of child labor.

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The child actors in Anuja are from the Salaam Baalak Trust NGO, and both Ananya Shanbhag and Sajda Pathan deliver heartfelt performances. Despite not being professional actors, they bring freshness and authenticity to the film. Their chemistry as sisters is natural and touching.

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Director Adam Graves places significant emotional weight on Anuja’s character and her difficult decision to leave her sister behind. This tension is masterfully captured, keeping the audience on edge. Nagesh Bhosle is excellent as Mr. Verma, embodying the sinister underbelly of child labor exploitation. The film’s moral complexity is compelling—at times, you may even find yourself questioning, Does one have to be selfish to escape such circumstances?

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One particularly beautiful moment occurs when Anuja receives money for the exam and, with some extra cash, the sisters enjoy a rare outing to the movies and a feast. These moments add charm and depth to the film, making it all the more poignant.

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At its core, Anuja is a moving, harrowing, and inspiring tale that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. I highly recommend watching it as a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a world of opportunities. However, I did feel that the ending was abrupt and ambiguous, leaving me slightly unsatisfied. Near the conclusion, the film shifts to a promotional segment about a nonprofit organization striving to improve the lives of marginalized children—a powerful addition, though it could have been integrated more seamlessly.

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Another commendable aspect of the film is its exploration of the conflict between survival and the pursuit of education for underprivileged children. This theme is beautifully handled. Personally, I hope Anuja chose to take the exam and pursue education to break free from the makeshift existence she and her sister were leading.

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I would rate this film 8.5 out of 10 for its authentic performances, compelling narrative, and raw portrayal of reality. If you don’t mind shedding a few tears, this short film is definitely worth watching.