Anuja: Review

14th February 2025

Anuja: Review. By Josiah Teal.

Anuja gets its name from its 9-year-old protagonist, Anuja, a math prodigy working in a sewing mill in India. Despite child labor laws, Anuja and her older sister work 14-hour days in horrible conditions to survive. Yet a chance at a new life presents itself when an optimistic teacher arrives at the sweatshop hoping to convince Anuja to apply for a prestigious boarding school. Written and directed by Adam J. Graves, Anuja tells a personal story of modern-day child labor and poverty through the eyes of someone who survived it.

Sajda Pathan is a clear standout as the lead, bringing genuine warmth and whimsy to the character despite circumstances. Pathan’s chemistry with Ananya Shanbhag as her sister, Palak, is palpable in each scene, further cementing the bond between the two characters. There is an unmatched purity to the two sisters watching movies, snacking in the street, and sharing stories that resonate with the characters and the performers. Pathan herself was rescued from child labor and poverty by Salaam Baalak Trust, the organization that helped fund the film and offers relief to children living in poverty. Adam J Grave approaches the narrative by putting character first and allowing the overall message of stopping child labor to speak through his characters.

At just 22 minutes, this short tells a nuanced story of two sisters struggling to survive. Anuja is worthy of its awards at HollyShorts and its Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. Whether Grave’s walks away with an Oscar seems secondary to the film’s true purpose: to confront child labor and poverty beyond a raising awareness but calling for actual change. There are more stories to tell, yet it’s not necessarily for Anuja and Palak but for the thousands of children sheltered by Salaam Baalak Trust and similar organizations. The performances are phenomenal, and the script and direction are Oscar-worthy, but with Anuja, the message takes center stage.

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