Sundance 2024

Girls Will Be Girls, the feature debut from Shuchi Talati, is a nuanced coming-of-age story that delves into the complexities of female desire, autonomy, and familial relationships. It centers on Mira (played by newcomer Preeti Panigrahi), a high-achieving student who becomes the first female prefect at her boarding school. While Mira navigates the pressures of this newfound responsibility, her world shifts when Sri (Kesav Binoy Kiron) transfers to the school and starts an astronomy club. Mira's interest in astronomy soon expands to Sri himself, leading her on a journey of sexual awakening.

Mira's evolving relationship with her mother, Anila (brilliantly portrayed by Kani Kusruti), is at the film's heart. In the beginning, Anila seems like the classic overbearing parent, constantly thwarting Mira's efforts to connect with Sri under the guise of protecting her. There's a palpable tension in every scene they share, as Mira attempts to assert her independence while still seeking her mother's approval. However, as the story unfolds, Anila's motivations and desires become more layered, leading to a fascinating dynamic between mother and daughter. At one point, it even seems as though Anila herself may be drawn to Sri's attention, or at least intrigued by it, adding another level of complexity to the generational divide between them.

Mira's relationship with Sri is handled with care, starting off as an innocent crush and gradually deepening into something more serious. Their courtship feels natural and believable, balancing the sweetness of first love with the vulnerability and confusion of navigating intimacy for the first time. Sri's astronomy club serves as a fitting metaphor for Mira's expanding worldview as she learns to explore both the literal and metaphorical unknown.

One of the film's strengths is how it captures the internal struggle Mira faces as she balances her budding relationship with Sri against the expectations placed upon her by her school and her mother. Mira's journey of self-discovery feels authentic and grounded, with Panigrahi delivering an understated but captivating performance. By the film's end, Mira gains a new perspective on her relationship with Anila, seeing her mother not just as an obstacle but as a woman with her own set of struggles and desires.

While the character arcs are compelling, the narrative takes a while to hit its stride. There are several repetitive scenes—especially of Anila disrupting Mira and Sri's time together—that could have been trimmed to tighten the runtime. While effective at building tension, these moments eventually start to drag, making the film feel longer than it needs to be.

Despite this, Girls Will Be Girls remains an impressive debut. Shuchi Talati's direction is sensitive and thoughtful, and Preeti Panigrahi is utterly endearing in her leading role, marking herself as a talent to watch. The film leaves you with a sense of satisfaction as Mira's journey comes full circle, offering a fresh and poignant take on the complexities of growing up.

— 3.5 / 5 ⭐