Keys, Thele, and Connection: The Fragile Beauty of Motherhood in Girls Will Be Girls
Girls will be Girls (2024)
Girls will be Girls (2024)
Director: Shuchi Talati
Cast: Preeit Panigrahi ( Mira ), Kani Kusruti (Anila) , Kesav Binoy Kiron (Sri)
Screenplay: Shuchi Talati
Synopsis: In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance, but her rebellious sexual awakening is disrupted by her mother, who never got to come of age herself.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video (as of Dec 2024)
"We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they've come."
Girls Will Be Girls is a slow-moving, tender, intimate, and intense coming-of-age story that follows a young, intelligent girl as she begins to explore and understand love and her sexual desires while navigating a rocky relationship with her mother, the traditional rules of her school, and the patriarchy. Shuchi Talati has crafted an impactful, painful, and complex narrative about the broken yet powerful Indian mother-daugther relationship, the challenges faced by Indian women by loved ones and societal standards, and more. The film is vulnerable and fearless in depicting the harsh realities Indian women face in trying to recognize their romantic wants, needs, and fascination.
It integrates age-old Indian stereotypes about how women should behave versus men, the embarrassment and secrecy surrounding outward expressions of love, and the generational shifts in how women approach these subjects. Due to its sublime tone and contextual setting, Girls Will Be Girls weaves these elements in naturally. None of the dialogue or events related to stereotypes, cultural mindsets, or generational gaps feels forced or out of place as the sequences and conversations unfold on screen.
The film also delicately explores Mira and Anila’s (Mama) layered relations. Through sharp yet simple dialogue, intentional conversations, and evolving character dynamics, the film illustrates how deeply Mira resents her mother, while showing how Anila is simply doing her best to live her own life while raising Mira to be a confident, strong, and intelligent woman. The screenplay cleverly utilizes metaphors, such as keys, to symbolize how Mira and Mama are two pawns in the larger patriarchy. These metaphors emphasize the need for them to empathize with one another in order to grow together. Not everything is explicitly stated; silent sequences focus on Mira, her mother, or both of them together, simply existing and processing what is happening around them.
Mira and mom are simultaneously similar and different. They both attended the same school, want to be loved, and want to love each other. However, growing up a generation apart, their views on romance, womanhood, and men diverge: Mira embraces modern ideals, while Anila clings to the traditional values she was raised with. This generational divide creates the rift and resentment they feel toward each other but also leaves both equally lonely.
The shifting environment and generational gap allow Mira to come of age in ways her mother never could due to societal limitations. Mira has the freedom and innate aspiration to build her identity, while Anila, shaped by higher standards and tighter restrictions, experiences her own kind of coming-of-age through her daughter’s journey. Mira and Anila are brought together, forced to see each other through Sri. Mira loves Sri, while Anila is simply happy to have a friend who appreciates her.
In the end, Mira who had the maturity to learn about herself realizes that both mother and daughter are being manipulated by a man who truly values neither of them, and engages with them for his own satisfaction. Mira begins see her mother not as an enemy but as an ally—a woman trying her best despite her profound loneliness. Mira begins to understand how much her mother missed out on growing up, how empty her life must feel, and how much strength she carries day after day.
This realization makes the ending sequence so cathartic, powerful, and emotionally overwhelming—it left me crying buckets of tears. Every South Asian woman knows the unspoken care and heartfelt bond created between mother and daughter when they oil each other’s hair; it is a rite of passage. Watching this intimate act as the final scene unleashed a flurry of emotions. Seeing Mira and her mother connect in this way for the first time after their roller-coaster relationship was enough to open the floodgates.
I have so many precious memories of my mother oiling my hair from when I was five to now, at the age of 22. The sensation of oil dripping through my hair, my mother resting her chin on my head, her hands massaging the thele into my scalp, and the stories she would tell me remain unchanged; only time has moved forward. A thele massage is the ultimate link between South Asian mothers and daughters—timeless, yet a poignant reminder of life’s ever-quickening pace.
Preeti Panigrahi gives a passionate and brave performance as Mira, while Kani Kusruti brings intricacy and high-powered emotion to Anila. Together, Preeti and Kani create sparks with their disagreements and judgments but also moments of warmth as they strive to look past each other’s flaws and understand one another. Their dynamic is zingy, confusing, heartfelt, and deeply resonant for any Indian woman with a challenging relationship with her mother. Watching how their characters’ relationship evolves is a truly gratifying experience, making the ending all the more sensational.
Girls Will Be Girls is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together themes of identity, love, generational conflict, and the silent battles women fight within the constraints of patriarchy. Shuchi Talati fearless direction, coupled with standout performances by Preeti Pranaghi and Kani Kusruti, crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The film’s tender exploration of the complex mother-daughter relationship, layered with cultural and societal expectations, feels raw and real. Its subtle metaphors, like the use of keys, and the cathartic emotional beats, particularly the hair-oiling sequence, make it a poignant reflection on growth, understanding, and the unspoken bonds we share. With its nuanced storytelling and emotional depth, Girls Will Be Girls is not just a coming-of-age story but a call to empathy, resilience, and connection. Truly, an unforgettable debut by Talati that leaves a lasting impact. I am going to give my mom a big hug now!
If you have seen Girls will be Girls, let me know your thoughts in the comments!