Anuja

A comparably shorter review should suffice for this extremely well made short film of 20 minutes or so. It transmits its message with amazing artistic clarity and leaves a strong impact on the audience through the sheer simplicity of its narrative. It has an authentic feel and vibe to it. Go ahead and watch it.

The plot is fairly simple. Anuja is a nine year old girl from the slums who works in a garment factory along with her elder sister. They share an affectionate bond and seek happiness from small things of everyday life. Watch them eating sweets or watching a movie over popcorn. Anuja is good in maths and her factory manager offers her a better paying position in his office. At around the same time the local school teacher asks her to join school. She has to now choose money through employment or education through school. A tough choice for her to make.

Everything about this movie is first rate without doubt and no surprises if it picks up the Oscar next month.

An exceptional short that focuses on child labour in India. The writing was so good from the starting point until the last shot. The ending is left for us to choose what Anuja should do. Obviously she should go attend that exam. That moment could be life changing.

This short also depicts sisterhood, moral agency and difficult choices born of poverty.

The Cinematography of this short creates a very authentic visual that is raw and natural. Kudos to Akash Raje.

The acting performances were top-notch. Sajda Pathan was outstanding. A real-life former child laborer discovered by the Salaam Baalak Trust. Huge respect. Ananya Shanbhag was amazing too. A real-life factory worker. Huge respect to her too.

Excellent short but the ending could have been straight forward though so that many people get motivated from it.

I heard that a short film from India made the final nominations for oscars 2025 so I had to give it a try and after watching I don't know what to say I just gave an 8 just cause of the topic of the movie and it's post credit scene I mean the makers presented nothing new they just showed the reality on the big screen The ending was open ended which I liked it was like saying whatever she chooses it is going to be a wrong decision good creative choice

FAVOURITE CHARACTER :: elder sister her struggles were touching FAVOURITE MOMENT :: Anuja asking her sister in the middle of the night will he come with her.

Has it got a good message? Yeah, kind of. Does it move me to act upon it? Not really. The movie is powerful for a 23-minute runtime, but it is not powerful enough to stir me. It is rather minimal and pretty in its own little way, but nothing honestly stood out to me about the work. It ends posing a dilemma-a rather huge one at that-but the rest of it? Bland. At least to me it was.

The acting is pretty fine. The characters portrayed have some depth. The screenplay is quite intelligent, to which the shots do sufficient justice. It wouldn't be a "10/10 I recommend," but one could give it a chance.

The short film seems even shorter than it is, because it is so breathtaking. The girls are adorable and their life situation heartfelt. I needed to see this, this part of the world is not unknown to me, but it isn't easy to visualise and understand it. Not even sure I ever really can? It shows true love between sisters and their happiness, while working and living in low standard jobs and housing.

The opportunity offered to the youngest, to step out of her current situation might seem logical to every adult, but it isn't for the young child. Influenced by her employer and the love for her sister makes her decision to leave not easy.

The cliffhangers in the end of the film are necessary, but tough to handle. I want to know what will happen to both the sisters, but I will have ot imagine it for myself. And that power. That makes this movie impact the one who is watching. We have to know, we have to understand, and that is something we have to do by watching actively, and contemplate by ourselves. Dive into the mind of the orphin, what will she do?