The Wishing Tree: A Well-Intentioned Yet Flawed Children's Film

A Mixed Reception for The Wishing Tree

Cinema often garners praise for its intentions rather than its execution, and 'The Wishing Tree,' which premiered this week to a lukewarm reception, exemplifies this notion. The performances by the young actors come across as overly loud and self-aware, while even seasoned veterans like Saurabh Shukla and Mahabano Mody-Kotwal deliver disappointingly awkward portrayals.

This lack of finesse in conveying an eco-friendly message about tree conservation reflects a broader issue in children's cinema in our country. Many films aimed at younger audiences either condescend to them or attempt too hard to mimic their perspectives. 'The Wishing Tree' falls into the latter category, striving for environmental awareness but ultimately faltering due to poor writing and exaggerated performances.

Despite its shortcomings, the film has good intentions and deserves an audience for that reason. Shabana Azmi shines in her role as a mystical eco-spirit, engaging in deep conversations with nature. Her nature-themed song, filmed in stunning locations, evokes memories of the classic 'Phir se aaiyo badra bidesi' from Gulzar's 'Namkeen.'

I find myself trying to appreciate this small film with a big heart that genuinely aims to make a difference.

Cinematographer Rajeev Jain showcases a love for nature, but the human characters fail to honor it. Writer-director Manika Sharma constructs a narrative filled with cringe-worthy clichés. The four main child characters represent the primary religions practiced in 'secular' India, each facing and overcoming a personal challenge.

Harshpreet Kaur portrays Nikita, who struggles with her weight and faces ridicule. The portrayal is heavy-handed, with the character's struggles presented in an overt manner. The Muslim character, Fatima (Shivani Joshi), idolizes Shah Rukh Khan, leading to familial tensions when her father (Rajit Kapoor) disapproves of her admiration.

By the time Bobby Darling appears as a grieving widow, I found myself wishing for a more enjoyable way to support environmental causes than enduring a film that incessantly chastises us for our neglect of nature. Sometimes, discussing environmental cruelty can feel just as harsh.

Shabana Azmi shared her thoughts on the film's eight-year anniversary, expressing her surprise at how these forgotten films resurface. She fondly recalled her cameo and lamented the scarcity of films focused on children today, emphasizing the importance of any project that seeks to address this gap.