Review : Socially burning issues handled in ‘Anya’!

Many a times a filmmaker has a good thought to be presented through a film but a film on paper and a film on screen should match the intensity of the subject. When it doesn’t match then it’s a failed attempt. Something similar happens to writer, director #SimmyJoseph’s maiden bilingual (Hindi and Marathi) offering ‘#Anya’. He has tried to incorporate too many things which are detrimental to the progress of the nation. Child labour, sex trafficking, farmer suicides and many more social issues are incorporated in ‘Anya’. But the director has been unsuccessful in presenting them in a proper manner hence the film falters from the very beginning.

A documentary filmmaker Divya (Raima Sen) wants to make a documentary on socially burning issues but doesn’t get any cooperation from general public. Her colleague cum friend Deepak (Bhushan Pradhan) suggests that they take help of a local small time ‘gunda’ to shoot interviews with a spy camera. In comes Sartaj (Prathamesh Parab) who helps them, of course for a price, in procuring information on sex trafficking and bondage labourers. There’s a writer Arindam (Atul Kulkarni) in the team who is left-inclined and has a past with Divya. Sartaj stumbles upon many dark secrets which are helpful to Divya and her team. In fact she had consented to share the footage to a local politician, who in turn wants to overturn the ruling government’s regime, in exchange of financing the film. Hellbent on exposing corruption in India, especially towards the downtrodden members of the community, will Divya be successful in her endeavour?

Director Simmy Joseph tries to say too many things in a too little time. The screenplay is loosely knit which isn’t able to grip viewer’s attention. Also the poorly designed set and inferior post-production work do not work in favour of the film. Social issues and personal issues are not well connected hence the film fails to entertain. Background score is jarring at times. Atul Kulkarni holds his ground though the script doesn’t supports his character. Raima Sen, Bhushan Pradhan too try their level best to make the film watchable. Prathamesh Parab who has the maximum screen space is good and so is Tejaswini Pradhan despite limited screen time. Yashpal Sharma, Govind Krutika Deo are good too.

Socially burning issues are handled in ‘Anya’ but it lacks proper execution.

Rating: **