Anuja Review : A poignant tale of sisterhood, sacrifice and survival

Story: Anuja, a gifted math student, works at a garment factory with her elder sister. When an opportunity arises to take an exam for a boarding school scholarship, she faces a difficult choice.

Review: ‘Anuja’ is a deeply moving short film that captures the harsh realities of two orphaned sisters working in a garment factory. In just 23 minutes, the director crafts a poignant narrative that resonates beyond its runtime, leaving a strong emotional impact. While the film subtly addresses the issue of child labour, its core focus remains on resilience and the hope for a better future. With its restrained yet powerful storytelling, ‘Anuja’ delivers a compelling message without overt sentimentality, making it a thought-provoking watch.

This short film is a touching drama that explores the bond between two orphaned sisters, Anuja (Sajda Pathan) and Palak (Ananya Shanbhag), who navigate life’s hardships while finding joy in small moments. Despite their impoverished condition, they share an unbreakable spirit, savouring simple pleasures like popcorn, jalebi, and movies. Palak, the elder sister, secretly stitches bags from leftover fabric and sells them to save for her wedding, while Anuja, a math prodigy, is offered a rare opportunity—an invitation from an educator, Mr Mishra (Gulshan Walia), to take an exam for a prestigious boarding school. However, when the factory supervisor, Mr Verma (Nagesh Bhonsle), recognizes Anuja’s talent, he attempts to keep her by offering another job—on the condition that she forgoes the exam. As the moment of decision arrives, Anuja is caught between personal ambition and familial duty, forcing her to make an impossible choice.

‘Anuja’ is an engaging short film that draws authenticity from its non-professional cast—underprivileged children from the Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organization. Through the story of two sisters, the film sensitively highlights the struggles of marginalized children, where the pursuit of education often clashes with the necessity of earning a livelihood. Sajda Pathan as Anuja and Ananya Shanbhag as Palak deliver heartfelt performances, making their characters’ dilemmas feel strikingly real. Structurally, the film follows a familiar narrative, with the garment factory supervisor serving as the antagonist, determined to keep Anuja from seizing a life-changing opportunity. The open-ended climax leaves Anuja’s fate to the viewer’s interpretation, reinforcing the film’s thought-provoking message on choice, sacrifice, and systemic barriers.

Nominated for an Oscar in the Best Short Film category, this short film resonates deeply, driven by the heartfelt chemistry between its two lead characters—sisters bound by unwavering devotion, willing to sacrifice for each other’s happiness. The narrative is universally relatable, shedding light on the struggles of underprivileged girls in developing countries. Backed by producers Mindy Kaling and Guneet Monga Kapoor, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas as executive producer, the film carries both emotional weight and social purpose, aiming to raise awareness about a critical issue. With its powerful storytelling and understated social commentary on child labour and aspiration, ‘Anuja’ is a moving tale of sacrifice, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future.