Girls Will be Girls sensitively and in its uniquely understated and non-judgmental way explores women, their insecurities, their fight within themselves and with the world outside, their awareness of themselves and others…writes Rajeshwari Kalyanam
Boys will be Boys – the often-heard statement that justifies the slightest mischief to the gravest of the mistakes that boys make is the popular sentiment at this boarding school during the time of the landlines with rotating dial.
At the boarding school is Mira who is chosen as the school’s first girl Head Prefect breaking the norm. She is chosen as much for being brilliant in academics as much and more for being obedient and following rules.
Girls Will Be Girls is a film that explores young Mira’s experiments with her sexuality amidst the strict dorm environment and a demanding yet modern mother who does not mind her having a boy over but only if he is a friend. The film sensitively and in its uniquely understated and non-judgmental way explores women, their insecurities, fight within themselves and with the world outside, their awareness of themselves and others. What is they make mistakes in the process – as long as they learn and move on – after all – Girls Will be Girls!!
Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s first production, the film Girls Will be Girls streaming on Prime Video is also Shuchi Talati’s first directorial with new actors Preeti Panigrahi (Mira) and Kesav Binoy Kiron (Sri) in lead roles. Kani Kusruti plays Mira’s mother Anila who can just be there and her eyes will express a million emotions.
Anila is from Haridwar and visits her daughter to be with her during her exams. She is playful and adventurous and this we know just in a few expressions and well-crafted scenes that convey the message with being blatant and in the face – a style of film making that’s not too familiar.
She craves for companionship and as Sri mentions one time – she needs attention. Like many, she stays silent yet pained by the playful jibes that her husband makes on her at the dinner table. or when her uncaring daughter acts aloof. She is caught between her desire to give Mira her freedom and need to set boundaries; and she allows her daughter a few liberties even while worrying about her husband.
Mira has grown up from being a doting daughter to this impatient daughter who can’t stand her mother – and she shares this with her new and only crush – the new NRI boy in the school Sri.
It is with Sri she begins to explore her body and not following rules at all times. She is also caught with jealousy when she sees him becoming close to her boyfriend.
Director Shuchi Talati creates relatable characters, weaves this screenplay that keeps you on edge, worried about the consequences of actions of these women, strangely wanting to judge yet end up empathising with them. As the director mentioned in one of her interviews, she allows her audience to become uncomfortable with the happenings and lets her character reveal themselves to them.
Girls Will Be Girls says many things without actually saying much – a gesture, a look, sublime performances add weight to the dialogues that take the narrative unhurriedly forward creating a tension that is perhaps what you will reflect upon even after the film ends.
