JUICE SHORT FILM REVIEW

Juice is a 14 minute short film Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan . 

Starting: Shefali Shah and Manish 

Juice is a powerful short film that shows the everyday gender roles inside a typical Indian middle-class home. Set on a hot evening, the film shows a clear contrast: the men are sitting comfortably in the air-conditioned living room, laughing, drinking, and talking about politics and women in power. Meanwhile, the women are sweating in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, and serving.

Shefali Shah plays Manju Singh, and she gives a brilliant performance. Her expressions say everything—she shows calm patience at first, and then silent anger. There are no loud fights, but you can feel the tension building. One small moment shows a young girl being pulled away from her video games to serve her brothers, showing how bias starts from a young age.

The turning point in the film comes when Manju quietly pours herself a glass of orange juice, takes a chair into the living room, and sits under the fan—without asking anyone. She doesn’t say a word, but her action speaks loudly. The men go silent. It’s a powerful moment where she claims her right to rest and respect.