Anuja Review: Adam J. Graves’ Oscar-Nominated short film on poverty will tug at your heartstrings

A still from Anuja movie

Directed by Adam J. Graves, Anuja opens with Palak (Ananya Shanbhag) narrating the story about a farmer who leaves his daughter at home, alone. Tasked with the responsibility to keep her safe is a pet mongoose. On encountering a snake, the mongoose kills the snake, only for the farmer to mistake the snake’s blood for that of his daughter. The mongoose ends up dead, rather than being rewarded for its bravery. Listening to this story rather keenly is Anuja (Sajda Pathan), a fourteen-year-old girl who lives in a slum.

Anuja Movie: Plot

Anuja works at the local sewing factory where her boss, Mr Verma (Nagesh Bhonsle), is dismissive of Mr Mishra (Gulshan Walia). Mr Mishra is a teacher who wants Anuja to appear for an exam for he sees in her the ability to excel. Anuja needs Rs 400 for the examination fees. Her sister Palak knows that Anuja is rather studious and will excel academically if she were to go to school. Her boss, a somewhat exploitative Mr Verma, discovers Anuja’s arithmetic skills and offers her a job in his office.

Anuja Movie: Performances

Meanwhile, Palak is saving money for her marriage. Will Anuja appear for the exam? Or will she opt for the job offered to her by Mr Verma? Anuja, the film, shows that the mere appearance of a life-changing opportunity is not enough to change one’s life trajectory. Anuja, the kid, is well-aware that appearing for the exam will change her life for the better, perhaps even enable her to go to a boarding school. But that would mean her sister will not be left with funds for her marriage.Anuja Movie: Writing And Direction

Anuja can save either herself or her sister. She has all but two choices: first, to play the mongoose and save her sister from the venomous patriarchy (the snake) which will consume Palak (and eventually Anuja too). Or, to appear for the exam and work hard to achieve success. The mere existence of an opportunity is not enough to take a family out of dire conditions.

This critic was quite impressed that the film plays around with the idea of stealing — universally considered immoral. But when the struggle to keep the body and soul together gets the best of you, is stealing really the crime of the century? “Isiliye teri chori pakdi nahi jaati (this is why your theft isn’t caught)”, says Anuja. Palak defends herself, explaining that she only steals the leftover cloth from the sewing factory.

Anuja Movie: What Works, What Doesn’t

In a country where the social structures have all but collapsed and exploitation is the order of the day, morals are only for the poor and the marginalized to adhere to. The billionaires can steal millions from the bank accounts of hard working citizens but god forbid if a child at a sewing factory steals the leftover cloth, all hell breaks loose. What also works for the film is the visual shots. The ending montage, where Palak’s bleeding finger is juxtaposed next to a bucket full of water (and the sequence where the iconic “Ude Jab Jab Zulfe Teri” plays in a movie theater) are spellbinding.

Anuja Movie: What Works, What Doesn’t

The open-ended climax of the short leaves much to interpretation. I couldn’t help but psychoanalyze Anuja’s state of mind. Choosing herself over her sister would mean betrayal but not choosing herself would result in Anuja’s potential being wasted. The part where she stands outside the street and looks at her sister entering the sewing factory is heartbreaking, especially when interspersed with visuals of Mr Verma and Mr Mishra. Adam J. Graves seems to have created a rather realistic portrayal of poverty, even if the gaze is more sympathetic than empathetic. Nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards, Anuja will make you question the long-held notion that merit alone is enough to get you anywhere in life.

Star rating: 3 / 5 stars

Anuja is now streaming on Netflix.