Sexuality has long been a delicate and often avoided topic in Indian cinema, where depictions of intimacy tend to be sensationalized rather than approached with sensitivity. Despite this, there have been a few films in recent years challenging the norm. One such example is Amit Rai’s Oh My God 2, which, despite sparking controversy with the censor board, was lauded for its insightful exploration of sex education. Continuing this trend of addressing sensitive topics, Girls Will Be Girls, directed by Shuchi Talati, premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 18, 2024. The film marks a significant contribution to conversations about sexuality, particularly for adolescent girls.
Before its release on Prime Video, Girls Will Be Girls had already garnered substantial attention. It premiered in India at the prestigious Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) in October 2024, where it received several awards, including the Jury’s Special Mention Award, the Netpac Award, and the Film Critics Guild’s Gender Sensitivity Award. The film quickly sparked discussions, especially among the younger audience. Notable personalities such as Hrithik Roshan, Shabana Azmi, and Vishal Bhardwaj attended the screening, invited by actress and producer Richa Chadha.
Richa Chadha: A New Producer In Indian Cinema
Richa Chadha, known for her acting prowess, produced Girls Will Be Girls under her production company, marking her debut as a producer. This project is also the first film directed by Shuchi Talati, who has a background in cinema studies from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and has worked with various institutions in France. Additionally, many of the film’s technicians are women, further emphasizing its progressive and inclusive ethos.
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The film has made a notable international impact as well. Girls Will Be Girls premiered in January 2024 at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Actress Preeti Panigrahi, who plays the lead role of Meera, received the Special Mention Jury Award for her remarkable performance in the World Cinema Dramatic category. Later in the year, the film was screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the new Cannes Ecrans Junior section for teenagers and was also featured in the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt.
A Sensitive and Honest Exploration of Sexuality
At the heart of Girls Will Be Girls is the story of Meera Kishore (played by Preeti Panigrahi), a 16-year-old student at a strict boarding school in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. As the school’s first female head prefect and its top student, Meera has a reputation to uphold. Her world, however, begins to shift when she develops a budding attraction to her classmate, Srinivas (played by Keshav Binay Kiran), a quiet South Indian boy with a passion for astronomy.
The film captures Meera’s exploration of her sexuality as she navigates her feelings for Srinivas. It’s a sensitive portrayal of the complexities surrounding young love, first experiences, and the pressures of maintaining high academic and social expectations.
Mother-Daughter Dynamics And Growing Up
Meera’s relationship with her mother, Anila (played by Kani Kusruti), is central to the film’s emotional depth. Anila is concerned about her daughter’s growing attachment to Srinivas, fearing it might distract her from her studies. Anila, who is largely alone due to her estranged relationship with her husband, projects her own emotional needs onto Meera, creating a tension between the two. This mother-daughter dynamic becomes even more complicated when Meera takes the leap to share an intimate experience with Srinivas in the mountains, an event that marks a turning point in their relationship.
As the story progresses, Meera becomes entangled in a triangle of emotions—caught between her mother’s overbearing concern and her own desires. However, the narrative takes an unexpected twist as both women find common ground. Anila, reflecting on her own youth, begins to understand Meera’s need for independence and exploration. Their relationship transforms from one of tension to a touching moment of sisterhood and friendship.
A Dramatic Turning Point
The film reaches a climactic moment when Meera faces intense pressure from her classmates, who are jealous of her position as head prefect. During a Teacher’s Day event, Meera is publicly humiliated by a group of students, pushing her to the brink. In her desperation, she locks herself in the girls’ hostel and calls her mother for help. Anila rushes to her aid, and together, they confront the school principal. However, their grievances are dismissed, and both mother and daughter return home, their bond strengthened by the experience.
The narrative then delves into the complexities of Meera’s growth as a young woman, culminating in a realization about her mother’s sacrifices and emotional needs. In the final scenes, Meera tenderly cares for her mother, symbolizing the healing and maturation of their relationship.
A New Era For Indian Cinema
Girls Will Be Girls stands as a bold exploration of adolescence, sexuality, and the mother-daughter relationship in Indian cinema. With its award-winning performances, sensitive treatment of its subject matter, and compelling story, the film is a significant step toward breaking taboos in Indian storytelling. Shuchi Talati’s debut feature promises to resonate with audiences, sparking important conversations about the complexities of growing up, love, and identity.
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