Merit vs Survival: Anuja Offers a Poignant Glimpse into the Harsh Lives of Children Connected with the Streets

Every Indian movie aficionado found a reason to rejoice when Anuja was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Set in 2022 New Delhi, Anuja is a poignant portrayal of childhood resilience amidst the harsh realities borne by millions of children who are connected to the streets. Whether it wins the coveted Academy Award is a question for the jury, but given its magnificent storytelling, Anuja is sure to win hearts.

Directed by Adam J. Graves, the movie follows the eponymous protagonist Anuja (Sajda Pathan), a gifted nine-year-old living on the streets of Delhi, and her elder sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag). The duo is seen navigating the complexities of survival in a big city with a job at a local garment factory.

Living in a shanty under a leaky roof, the sisters are always seen beaming and savouring the simple joys of a warm jalebi some day and a bucket of popcorn the other. They’re aware that these joys don’t come to them easily. While one needs to secretly stitch bags, the other needs to traverse busy lanes and even a secure mall to sell them for a profit. The film’s strength lies in its raw depiction of poverty through the eyes of children burdened by systemic exploitation.

A math prodigy, Anuja is offered an opportunity to take an exam at a prestigious boarding school. In a display of thoughtful cinematography, Anuja is seen shifting her gaze from left to right, from an opportunity to an obligation, from a generous man who has come bearing a rare opportunity to her employer who is dismissing it vehemently.

Anuja’s nonchalant genius recognizes the worth of this life-changing opportunity, but she faces a heart-wrenching choice—whether to take the plunge and soar high or continue living a life of limitations and save the money for her sister’s wedding.

Made with the support of Salaam Baalak Trust, Anuja masterfully explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the cruel paradox of choice faced by marginalized children. Highlighting the emotional toll of poverty, the film challenges the notion that merit alone can alter one’s destiny, especially when social structures are stacked against the underprivileged.

Filled with symbolic visuals, Anuja’s lustre lies in the haunting performances by Pathan (who is one of the Trust’s children) and Shanbhag. However, the open-ended climax leaves viewers pondering Anuja’s fate.

Beyond storytelling, Anuja is a testament to cinema’s power of amplifying marginalized voices. At a short run time of 23 minutes, Anuja is a punch-in-the-gut reminder of the shackles of systemic inequality holding back the talents and dreams of children connected to the street.