Highly anticipated film Girls Will Be Girls of Indian filmmaker Shuchi Talati has been released on Amazon Prime Video, sparking conversations around sexuality and relationships among adolescent girls.
Following its Indian premiere in October 2024 at the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), the film garnered significant attention, earning several prestigious awards, including the Jury’s Special Mention Award and the Film Critics Guild’s Gender Sensitivity Award. It was widely celebrated for its sensitive handling of a crucial yet often overlooked topic.
This marks the directorial debut of Shuchi Talati, who has previously made non-feature films. Talati, who studied cinema at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, explored a subject that remains taboo in Indian society—sexuality awareness among young girls.
Also Read: BHARATPOL Portal Will Revolutionize India’s Global Crime Investigations: Amit Shah
The film stars Preeti Panigrahi, in her first role, and Kani Kusruti, who brings her established acting prowess to the role of the mother.
The plot revolves around 16-year-old Meera Kishore (Preeti Panigrahi), a top student at her all-girls boarding school in the Indian Himalayas.
Meera’s life takes a turn when she befriends a classmate, Sri (Keshav Binay Kiran), and begins to navigate the complex emotions and experiences of adolescence. Meera’s relationship with her mother, Anila (Kani Kusruti), is also central to the story, as Anila’s own experiences of loneliness and unfulfilled desires influence her protective attitude toward her daughter.
The film was first showcased at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, where it won the Audience Award. Its world journey continued with a screening at the Cannes Film Festival and the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt.
At MAMI, it was discussed passionately by young viewers and industry professionals alike, including Hrithik Roshan, Shabana Azmi, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Richa Chadha, who also produced the film through her debut production company.
In the movie, Suchi Talati delves into the psychological intricacies of Meera’s coming-of-age journey, as well as the evolving bond between mother and daughter. Meera’s first experience with a romantic relationship challenges both her academic discipline and her mother’s expectations. Anila’s struggles with her own past and present collide when she faces Meera’s growing independence.
The film’s depiction of Meera’s internal conflict, compounded by her mother’s well-meaning but suffocating care, resonates deeply, especially as it transitions from a story of youthful discovery to a poignant narrative about the importance of sisterhood and understanding. Through its layered storytelling, Girls Will Be Girls not only addresses sexual education but also opens up a dialogue on emotional growth and personal freedom within restrictive societal norms.
With its female-driven production team and strong performances from its cast, Girls Will Be Girls promises to be a landmark film in Indian cinema, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of adolescent girls while challenging the traditional boundaries of what Indian cinema can explore. The film’s sensitive handling of its themes, combined with its bold cinematic voice, positions it as a vital conversation starter in contemporary discourse on sexuality and gender sensitivity in India.