Anukul: Short Film Review

 

‘Anukul’ is a film adaptation of a Satyajit Ray short science fiction story that runs for about 21 minutes and will leave you both aghast yet warm-hearted by the end. Directed by Sujoy Gosh, the film is set in a dystopian world where the protagonist Nikunj is in the process of purchasing, or rather renting, a human-like android robot named Anukul. The story unfolds further as Anukul is employed as a house-keeper. While the film makes it apparent that the technology may be fairly new, it is also made clear that these robots took over most jobs that earlier employed humans. We are shown that there is social unrest rising over this situation and that is where the conflict in the plot comes from. Chief among those leading this conflict in the plot is Nikunj’s brother, Ratan.   

  

While the dystopian world- where robots take over society and pose a threat to humans and lifestyles- is an old cliché, the setting and plot of the film make up for it. The buildings, vehicles, roads, and even Nikunj’s home are similar to the ones we live in right now, as though that reality is not very far into the future. This fact may be hard to comprehend, hence making this film eerie and unnerving.   

  

Another unique detail in this film is the robot, Anukul. Robots in other sci-fi films that are portrayed with a still, unmoving face and monotonous voice but Anukul is curious, pleasant, and almost human-like. The advanced ability of a robot to mimic emotional expressions like be excited, scared or even sad is almost terrifying to conceptualize, so it adds a darker touch. Typically, robots in sci-fi films are all-knowing, but Anukul learns from Nikunj, many things but most important of them all to our plot is the lesson given to him about ethics, duty, and following your heart.   

  

Although this film’s conflict may lay in the concept of man versus machine, we are shown that most of what we fear in those circumstances is what comes from us. The film implicates that the feared possibility of robots developing a conscious would be to our credit. The normalized portrayal of how Anukul adapts to what is thought to be purely human might be the most terrifying aspect of this film.   

  

The cast and crew did an excellent job of resurrecting Satyajit Ray’s story. Especially noteworthy is Parambrata Chattopadhyay, playing the character of Anukul. He, ironically, brought the robot to life in a way that every flinch, smile, or even a frown is chilling for how mundane yet mechanical it is. The scene where a parallel between Lord Krishna and Anukul is drawn, it is almost as though one can see Anukul molding and learning to be something more human like.    

But my personal favorite is the not-so-subtle aftertaste you are left with by the end of this short film. Every minute of this short film is used to paint a carefully orchestrated picture that leaves us contemplating our own morality with nothing more than a simple gesture.