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 fairly life like portrait. Prime Video’s newest unique, Sharmajee Ki Beti, makes an attempt to take action by way of the story of 5 ladies, all carrying the identical titular surname, throughout three generations.
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s protagonists have been picked from on a regular basis life: the individuals you have met, the buddies you have had, or maybe even the particular person you have been. You will see the kids fretting about puberty and the adults coping with loneliness, patriarchal expectations and strained interpersonal relationships. All of the Sharma ladies 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 function 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 is perhaps 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 companion in public however fail to recognise their desires or ambitions.
You will discover loads of such essential 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 should you neglect a home chore; you possibly can have a kitty get together to battle your melancholic loneliness, however after all, you’re then a “velli” (somebody with a variety of leisurely time on their palms).
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 occasionally. 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, fairly than embrace her distinctive female qualities is fairly disappointing. Kher’s one-dimensional efficiency would not assist both. I want it had been a extra gray and complicated characterization as an alternative of the black-and-white strategy taken.
One other space the place the movie struggles barely is coherence. When you’re totally invested in one of many Sharmas, the opposite one takes over, fragmenting the narrative circulate. An anthology format the place every story was introduced as a standalone section, might need labored higher, for my part. This might have allowed the viewers to totally immerse themselves in every narrative and contemplate every story with the burden 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 cinematic piece for introspection. I notably preferred the way it captures the smallest, usually most mundane facets of womanhood, and their profound impression on ladies’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 temporary scene is remarkably candid and dares to deliver forth the often-hushed taboo matter of sexuality among the many aged to the highlight. It breaks down ageist obstacles 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 together with her.
This leaves Dutta’s character with an empty void. You will see her making an attempt to strike up a dialog with each human she sees, together with distributors and small children, 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 immediately, 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 of a superhero at instances! Every of those daydream sequences provides a playful contact, breaks the stress, and balances the movie’s tone.
A shocking spotlight is the efficiency from baby 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 sit up for seeing extra of her work sooner or later.
Sharmajee Ki Beti is now accessible to stream on Prime Video