Anaari Science left me with more questions than answers

I am a science enthusiast, which means that as a child, I would open my toys to see what was inside them. My dolls—carefully chosen by my parents, knowing I’d break their heads apart to understand how the human body works (which explains why I majored in medicine)—were living proof of my love for science.

Which is why, at 24, I was instantly drawn to something called Anaari Science on a weekend. And the fact that it was happening at a public library, under a sky lit by a crescent moon and Venus? Sign me up!

On Saturday evening, Kitab Ghar hosted a screening of a short film set in Hyderabad, featuring two characters who are poles apart. Anaari Science is the brainchild of Aleem Bukhari and has won the Feature Film Category at the FILUMS International Film Festival 2025.

Initially, when you hear the name, you might think of a chemist who has failed experiments or a scientist with oversized glasses trying to invent something, at least, that’s what I imagined. However, the film turned out to be nothing like what I had expected.

The film revolves around two characters, Master Jalal and Hassan. Master Jalal’s getup reminds me of Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, a typical arranged-marriage husband material look. He dresses in wide pants, dress shirts, and carries a crossbody bag to school.

His character is somewhat typical, yet it catches your attention. He walks the same path every day, sees the same things, yet somehow, it always feels different because you anticipate what he’ll do next.

One scene that stayed with me was when he was passing through a street where water was flowing. He sensed it seconds before it would fall and stepped back just in time.

To the masses, this might seem like a meaningless scene, but for some reason, it struck me. I wouldn’t have expected wisdom or quick reflexes from a man who looks like this. A very privileged statement, I’m fully aware, but given his appearance, his character had so much more depth than one might assume at first glance.

One of the layers of his personality is that he is a government school teacher. You see him performing his usual duties, checking brown-paper-covered copies and using a red pen. However, he has an entirely different side.

Yes, this is unexpected. A man who looks like he’d be anything but creative actually designs intricate patterns, which he commissions to a woman—presumably a tailor—who pays him what amounts to mere pennies.

Later in the film, one of his designs appears on a tea table, where two women are seen discussing the shirt one of them is wearing. This moment subtly reinforces that Jalal is talented at what he does. However, since he is portrayed as someone who has built a life in isolation, he never takes credit for his work.

Hassan, the other character in the story, is someone I’m sure we’ve all come across. He is one of those boys always looking for shortcuts or doing mundane things just for fun.

His character is introduced through a conversation with a friend, who stays with him throughout the film, where they talk about someone who is after them for money. This leads Hassan to a "brilliant" idea (at least in his opinion): to get a job since he is on vacation.

His job involves repairing electronic gadgets, but since the shop he works at is in the same neighbourhood, it feels more like a way to earn some pocket money rather than a full-fledged career.

These two characters are not deeply intertwined, as they don’t share much screen time. Yet, in a strange way, despite being complete opposites, they somehow come together.

This short film isn’t something one can fully grasp on the first watch. You have to sit with it, absorb it, and take the time to understand what’s unfolding. The film makes you notice how these mundane yet oddly intriguing characters capture your attention and spark new thoughts.

I also feel this might not be the kind of art the masses would readily consume. However, if artists continue putting out work like this, more and more people will begin to appreciate it.

The film also explores the theme of passion—how it drives a person to think beyond their limited vision and resources. In my opinion, this movie leaves us with more questions than answers.