‘The Wishing Tree,’ despite its admirable goals, struggles in its execution. The performances by the young cast are often over the top, and the veteran actors also deliver underwhelming performances. The film’s lack of nuance in telling its eco-friendly story reflects a common problem with children’s films: a failure to connect with young audiences. These films either patronize their viewers or try too hard to be relatable. ‘The Wishing Tree’ falls into the latter category, aiming to raise environmental awareness but hampered by weak writing and theatrical acting. Despite these flaws, the film’s positive intentions are evident. The film features Shabana Azmi in a role that allows her to explore themes of nature and spirituality. Cinematographer Rajeev Jain’s work captures the beauty of nature. The story involves four children from different religious backgrounds, each facing personal struggles.
Shabana Azmi, reflecting on the film’s anniversary, highlighted the scarcity of films for children. She saw her role as a contribution to filling this gap, recalling the experience and the film’s significance.