Indian cinema’s portrayal of girls usually veers between two extremes: sari-clad maternal figures or vodka-sipping partygoers, with filmmakers struggling to strike a stability and provides a reasonably real looking portrait. Prime Video’s newest authentic, Sharmajee Ki Beti, makes an attempt to take action by way of the story of 5 girls, all carrying the identical titular surname, throughout three generations.
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s protagonists have been picked from on a regular basis life: the folks you have met, the chums you have had, or even perhaps the individual you have been. You may see the teenagers fretting about puberty and the adults coping with loneliness, patriarchal expectations and strained interpersonal relationships. All of the Sharma girls have battles of their very own. The movie retains oscillating between the storylines, with the characters sometimes popping up in one another’s verses, like crossover episodes.
Considerate portrayal of womanhood
Sakshi Tanwar has essayed her position as a working mom impressively
The writing is considerate and attuned to the smallest of feelings, the quietest of moments, and the unstated tensions that simmer beneath the floor. There’s a scene wherein an adolescent (Vanshika Taparia) lashes out at her working mom (Sakshi Tanwar): “Why ought to dad assist me in preparing; it is your job”. This small but highly effective scene exposes how deeply entrenched gender roles have an effect on the often-ignored parent-child dynamic.
The movie additionally sheds gentle on how males usually perpetuate hidden patriarchal requirements unknowingly. Whereas they may be loving and caring, they nonetheless fall prey to the model of an ideal girl they’ve been fed over time. Sure, they could assist with family chores however unknowingly view it as a favour, or acknowledge their associate in public however fail to recognise their goals or ambitions.
You may discover loads of such vital conversations within the film, that peel again the veneer of hypocrisy from the handy model of girl empowerment that society affords: you get the “probability” to be a sportsperson, however ought to have your mascara excellent; you possibly can go to your job, however god forsake you if you happen to overlook a home chore; you possibly can have a kitty celebration to battle your melancholic loneliness, however after all, you’re then a “velli” (somebody with lots of leisurely time on their fingers).
Cliches and handy stereotypes
Saiyami performs a state-level cricketer whose boyfriend retains nudging her to be extra female
Whereas the general tone is not preachy, it erupts in components. The movie tends to lean on drained cliches once in a while. There are moments the place one can really feel the makers’ panic to incorporate all of it, ticking off an imaginary guidelines of themes, even when it solely provides to the muddle — the identical mistake that Sanjay Leela Bhansali made with Heeramandi.
This particularly stands true for Saiyami Kher’s character as a state-level cricket participant, who hates preparing. Whereas I get that it may be an individual’s private alternative, the portrayal felt too handy and stereotypical. For a movie that goals to rejoice womanhood, the necessity to masculinise the sportswoman, reasonably than embrace her distinctive female qualities is reasonably disappointing. Kher’s one-dimensional efficiency would not assist both. I want it have been a extra gray and sophisticated characterization as a substitute of the black-and-white strategy taken.
One other space the place the movie struggles barely is coherence. When you find yourself totally invested in one of many Sharmas, the opposite one takes over, fragmenting the narrative circulation. An anthology format the place every story was offered as a standalone section, might need labored higher, in my view. This could have allowed the viewers to totally immerse themselves in every narrative and contemplate every story with the load it deserves.
Nonetheless, regardless of its flaws, Sharmajee Ki Beti deserves consideration for its stunning try and make clear the varied challenges of womanhood and spark important conversations. The heartfelt messages and genuine illustration make it an excellent cinematic piece for introspection. I notably appreciated the way it captures the smallest, usually most mundane facets of womanhood, and their profound impression on girls’s lives, in all its storylines.
There’s a scene wherein we see an aged girl (Sunita Malhotra) unapologetically having fun with an erotic audiobook or podcast. The transient scene is remarkably candid and dares to carry forth the often-hushed taboo matter of sexuality among the many aged to the highlight. It breaks down ageist limitations and encourages a extra inclusive dialog about sexuality.
Performances shine in Sharmajee Ki Beti
Divya Dutta’s story arc is essentially the most touching of all of them
The movie shone in a couple of different components, as nicely. Divya Dutta’s character, as an illustration, is exquisitely crafted, and elevated by a flawless efficiency. Dutta performs a lonely housewife who strikes from Patiala to Mumbai, solely to fulfill a brand new bleak actuality. Her husband (Parvin Dabas) is now detached, her teenage daughter (Arista Mehta) prefers solitude, and her mom, again in her hometown, is not too eager on participating along with her.
This leaves Dutta’s character with an empty void. You may see her making an attempt to strike up a dialog with each human she sees, together with distributors and small youngsters, all of whom brush her off. The ache of her character resonates deeply, and one can not help however really feel sorry for her. The movie captures city loneliness, seen more and more pervasive in metro cities right this moment, with the care and sensitivity it deserves.
Dutta’s character would additionally usually journey to the land of her creativeness, the place she is beloved, celebrated, taken care of, and even be thought-about a superhero at instances! Every of those daydream sequences provides a playful contact, breaks the strain, and balances the movie’s tone.
A shocking spotlight is the efficiency from youngster actor Vanshika Taparia, who performs Sakshi Tanwar’s teenage daughter. She rants, yells, overthinks, and is usually self-absorbed and insecure. Taparia’s efficiency is compelling and true to life. I stay up for seeing extra of her work sooner or later.
Sharmajee Ki Beti is now out there to stream on Prime Video
