A collaboration between acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair’s nonprofit Salaam Baalak Trust, HollyShorts Film Festival presents Director Adam J. Graves and Producer Suchitra Mattai’s short film “Anuja.” The film is set within a sweatshop where the titular character, Anuja (Sajda Pathan)—a young orphan destined for better—and her older sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag) eke out a living as seamstresses under a tyrannical employer. The younger of the duo, Anuja is quick with sums whereas Palak is quick-witted and quick with a stitch. However, despite them seeking out more purposeful endeavours—especially at the insistence of a well-meaning social worker who comes with the offer of sending the math prodigy to pursue higher education at a boarding school—both sisters face the fear of being forced on the streets again. With this, Anuja expresses a fear of separation from her older, protective sibling.
“Anuja” benefits from a simplicity and sincerity in storytelling and execution to convey its messages. It prioritizes leading a purposeful life and achieving independence, while sidestepping grifters who prey on the vulnerable. It also shows how resources such as education can open many doors for gifted kids like Anuja without her talents being exploited within the walls of a sweatshop.
Of Freedom and Overcoming Odds
The film’s framing devices are crucial in emphasizing its core theme, i.e. choice. An instance of this is first viewed at the sweatshop when Anuja is pictured standing between her arm-twisting, emotionally manipulative employer who preys on the fears faced by individuals below the poverty line. The sweatshop literally cages them in a life of servitude. This is juxtaposed with the kindly social worker, serving the duo a life-altering opportunity on a silver platter.
Later in the film, Anuja’s road to freedom is literally blocked by a security guard who is built like a giant (albeit a kindly one, it turns out). He stands between the young child and the exit after Anuja is chased at a mall after accidentally venturing inside to sell one of the humble cloth bags stitched by Palak. This situation, however, has an outcome dissimilar to the one faced at the sweat shop. It showcases that even the toughest hearts can melt at the plight of a poor and determined young girl. Moreover, subtle technical aspects—such as lighting—also complement the characterization. Soft lighting surrounds Palak like a halo as she hatches a scheme to enable her younger sister in escaping, making her appear like a literal guardian angel.
Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag are Loveable
“Anuja” also celebrates the spirit of sisterhood and the joys and sweetness it ushers into young Anuja’s life. We see this particularly in the role of Palak, the older supportive sister who has learnt the ropes. She is on her way to a more prominent position as a head seamstress. Still, she harbours a selfless wish towards creating a favourable future for her younger sibling. She encourages her to not succumb to gullibility and to make sensible choices. She also helps her steadily and secretly practice comprehension skills by reading out matrimonial ads in the papers, joking about never letting men make their decisions for them in the future. This is despite its seeming hopelessness: a male factory owner rules over the primarily female workforce with an iron fist.
“Anuja” is led by instantly-likable and convincing performances by debutantes Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag. Both hail from a non-acting background. Their believable and saccharine sweet camaraderie lend to the charm of the bond between both sisters.
Overall, “Anuja” is guaranteed to move audiences with the grounded reality it puts to the screen. It also keeps the audience guessing. Its ambiguous ending sets the ball rolling on how we, as viewers, can contribute in making the world a better place for youngsters like its bright-eyed titular character.
“Anuja” will be playing at this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival from August 8th-18th. Follow The Movie Buff for more coverage of this year’s festival.
