Girls Will Be Girls Review: A Sensitive Coming-of-Age Drama

Girls Will Be Girls explores adolescence, patriarchy, and complex mother-daughter dynamics in Talati’s debut

Shuchi Talati’s debut film Girls Will Be Girls is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year. It was the only Indian feature to compete in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The movie explores themes of adolescence, self-discovery, and the complicated bond between a mother and daughter.

Set in a strict boarding school in the Himalayan mountains, the story follows 16-year-old Mira (Preeti Panigrahi), the school’s first female head prefect. Mira takes her role seriously, maintaining discipline and correcting others’ behavior. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a charming new student, Sri (Kesav Binoy Kiron), joins the school.

Mira is intrigued by Sri but keeps her feelings hidden from her strict mother, Anila (Kani Kusruti), a former student of the same school. Unlike other students, Sri sometimes stays at Anila’s home. As the story unfolds, Mira starts to feel that her mother is becoming a rival for Sri’s attention. Tensions rise when Anila shares moments with Sri that Mira wishes were hers, including teaching him how to dance and planning a secret birthday party.

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Talati captures the evolving relationship between Mira and Anila with sensitivity and nuance. The film portrays the unspoken emotions and silent conflicts between the two through subtle glances and gestures. One standout scene features mother and daughter dancing together, revealing layers of their complex bond.

‘Girls Will Be Girls’, a Sensitive Debut Film That Finally Does Justice to the Coming of Age Tale

First Time Director Shruti Talati extracts superb performances to portray adolescence in an authentic and messy way.@LunkyFallow✍️https://t.co/qNlhuvPeos

— The Wire (@thewire_in) October 22, 2024

Girls Will Be Girls also delves into deeper social issues, such as gender expectations and patriarchy. A scene where Mira’s teacher blames girls for inappropriate behavior by boys highlights how institutional rules often perpetuate such biases.

Preeti Panigrahi delivers a powerful performance as Mira, portraying her curiosity and inner struggles with poise. Kani Kusruti is equally impressive as Anila, balancing her role as a strict yet vulnerable mother.

With its compelling storytelling and sharp observations, Girls Will Be Girls is a remarkable debut, cementing Talati as a filmmaker to watch.

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