Oscar-Nominated Short Film ‘Anuja’ on Netflix: A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Child Labor and Hope

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As the Oscars draw near, it’s not surprising that film enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement over this year’s nominees. As usual, media discussions revolve around major debates and predictions for the top five categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay. Consequently, films recognized in other categories often receive less attention than they merit. Given that watching every movie nominated for 2025 might be challenging, it’s simple to include the best short films of the year on your viewing list — one of which is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

In a surprising display, the short film titled “Anuja“, up for Best Live-Action Short Film, managed to captivate viewers despite its brief 23-minute duration. This heartfelt coming-of-age story revolves around Anuja (played by Sadja Pathan), a nine-year-old prodigy and her sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag). Amidst their hardships, working in an Indian sweatshop, Anuja finds herself at a crossroads – choosing between laboring alongside her sister or enrolling in a prestigious private boarding school.

Adam J. Graves wrote and directed a movie that vividly depicts the struggles faced by young girls while maintaining an optimistic outlook. The creative team behind this short film has opted for Netflix as their distributor, enabling them to share this heartfelt tale about millions of children globally who are compelled to work instead of enjoying their childhood, and ultimately, raising awareness that could potentially lead to positive change.

What Is ‘Anuja’ About?

Netflix’s latest offering, titled “Anuja”, narrates a moving tale of a nine-year-old mathematical genius named Anuja, who secretly works in a garment factory alongside her elder sister Palak in Delhi, India. The story opens with Anuja being summoned to the office of her demanding boss, Mr. Verma (played by Nagesh Bhonsie). Here, she faces off with her teacher, who is there to reprimand Mr. Verma for employing Anuja instead of letting her attend school. The teacher also reveals that Anuja has a unique talent, being eligible to take an entrance exam for a boarding school on the following Tuesday at 8 AM.

Anuja requires 400 rupees and some free time, but Mr. Verma won’t grant it. Instead, he warns that both Anuja and Palak could lose their jobs if they attend. He intends to utilize Anuja’s skills for his company’s accounting tasks, starting on Tuesday at 8 AM. In return, he promises to boost her salary and ensure Palak keeps her job. Fortunately, Palak recognizes the value of education. This test is Anuja’s chance to break free from poverty, so Palak assists her in gathering the necessary funds for its fee. Yet, Anuja is torn between choosing this path or another.

The movie powerfully portrays the harsh realities faced by countless children worldwide, trapped in labor instead of attending school. It allows us to connect with the film’s characters, who embody the courage and affection of those real-life kids who are forced to work merely to exist. Anuja centers on the theme of opportunity as well. It delivers a compelling drama that underscores the limited options available to impoverished young people by presenting its main character with an insurmountable challenge and also sheds light on the grim truth of economic exploitation.

What Does ‘Anuja’ Choose in the End?

Despite Palak and Anuja successfully gathering the funds for the entrance exam, Anuja appears disengaged with the idea if it means separating from her sister. Instead of providing a resolution, the movie ends on an uncertain note. The closing scenes depict Palak dropping off Anuja at school, but as Palak goes to work, Anuja lingers behind. Subsequently, viewers observe a sequence of shots featuring Anuja’s teacher standing outside for her and Mr. Verma waiting in his office for her. However, neither location ever reveals Anuja’s presence before the credits finish rolling.

The brief tale does not reveal what Anuja finally decides. Similar to other enigmatic conclusions of stories past, it is the question itself that carries the message. In essence, it doesn’t really matter which path Anuja chooses, as the story highlights the significance of the decision-making process. Regrettably, millions of children across the globe are compelled to grapple with poverty and oppressive labor in order to eke out another day. The majority will never receive a visit from a teacher recognizing their brilliance and striving to enhance their lives. Instead, they find themselves trapped without any say in their circumstances. Ultimately, therefore, Anuja draws attention to the predicament countless children face with no means of escape, in the hope that bringing this reality to light will prompt others to lend a helping hand.

Shining a Spotlight on Child Exploitation

The team responsible for creating the short film titled “Anuja” worked together with Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a charitable organization that assists street and working children in Delhi. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Mindy Kaling (known for The Mindy Project) revealed that SBT employs acting as a means of therapy to empower these children, enabling them to lead lives filled with compassion, respect, wellness, and education – all essential ingredients for them to achieve their dreams. Remarkably, the main actor in “Anuja“, Sadja Pathan, is one such child who has benefited from SBT’s support.

Through the vocational training provided by the trust, Pathan has honed her acting skills. Yet, she lacks professional experience beyond this. Still, Kaling is optimistic about her talent, stating that she’s “naturally gifted” and expressing excitement about their potential collaboration. Kaling also hopes that Pathan will achieve long-term financial stability. Moving from life on the streets of Delhi to starring in an Oscar-nominated short film is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Here’s hoping that this inspires others to support the trust, its vital work, and extend its assistance to other children who need it as well.

Stream Anuja on Netflix now.

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2025-02-28 04:02