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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Girls Will Be Girls
| image = Girls_Will_Be_Girls_(2024_film)_poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Shuchi Talati]]
| writer = Shuchi Talati
| producer = {{ubl|[[Richa Chadha]]|Claire Chassagne|Shuchi Talati}}
| starring = {{ubl|[[Preeti Panigrahi]]|Kesav Binoy Kiron|[[Kani Kusruti]]}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = Jih-E Peng
| editing = Amrita David
| music = {{ubl|Pierre Oberkampf|Sneha Khanwalkar}}
| production_companies = Pushing Buttons Studios Blink Digital Cinema Inutile Crawling Angel Films Dolce Vita Films
| distributor = [[Amazon Prime Video]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2024|01||Sundance|2024|12|18|Prime Video}}
| runtime = 118 minutes
| country = India France
| language = English Hindi
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Girls Will Be Girls''''' is a 2024 [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film, written and directed by [[Shuchi Talati]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ganesan |first=Ranjita |date=2024-01-26 |title=Why Indo-French movie 'Girls Will Be Girls' was shot by a mostly female crew |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sundance-film-festival-premiere-shuchi-talati-movie-girls-will-be-girls-female-crew-mother-daughter-teenager-sexuality/article67775315.ece |access-date=2024-02-01 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206221000/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sundance-film-festival-premiere-shuchi-talati-movie-girls-will-be-girls-female-crew-mother-daughter-teenager-sexuality/article67775315.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nalini |first=Snigdha |date=19 January 2024 |title='Girls Will Be Girls' Trailer Review: Richa Chadha-Ali Fazal Maiden Production Is Not Your Average Coming-Of-Age Story |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/girls-will-be-girls-trailer-review-richa-chadha-ali-fazal-maiden-production-is-not-your-average-coming-of-age-story |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Outlook India |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201224801/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/girls-will-be-girls-trailer-review-richa-chadha-ali-fazal-maiden-production-is-not-your-average-coming-of-age-story |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Girls Will Be Girls |url=https://cineuropa.org/en/film/454174/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=[[Cineuropa]]}}</ref> It stars [[Preeti Panigrahi]], [[Kani Kusruti]], and Kesav Binoy Kiron.<ref>{{Citation |last=Talati |first=Shuchi |title=Girls Will Be Girls |date=2024-01-20 |type=Drama, Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18277182/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |others=Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron |publisher=Blink Digital, Cinema Inutile, Crawling Angel Films |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207033556/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18277182/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An Indian and French co-production, the film is Talati's [[feature directorial debut]], as well as the acting debut of both Panigrahi and Kiron.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2022-11-04 |title=Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha's Indo-French Coproduction 'Girls Will Be Girls' Starts Shoot (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/asia/ali-fazal-richa-chadha-girls-will-be-girls-shoot-1235422177/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Variety |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201224801/https://variety.com/2022/film/asia/ali-fazal-richa-chadha-girls-will-be-girls-shoot-1235422177/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film is set in a [[boarding school]] in the [[Himalayas|Himalayan foothills]], and centers around teenager Mira's romance with a charming new student, her subsequent sexual awakening, and at times strained relationship with her protective mother.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Girls Will Be Girls review: Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal's maiden production portraits a complex mother-daughter relationship |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/girls-will-be-girls-review-mother-daughter-relationship-richa-chadha-ali-fazal-101706249965941.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201224800/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/girls-will-be-girls-review-mother-daughter-relationship-richa-chadha-ali-fazal-101706249965941.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film premiered at the [[2024 Sundance Film Festival]], where it participated in the competition section.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal's debut production 'Girls Will Be Girls' to premiere at Sundance Film Festival |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/richa-chadha-ali-fazals-debut-production-girls-will-be-girls-to-premiere-at-sundance-film-festival-9058114/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201224801/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/richa-chadha-ali-fazals-debut-production-girls-will-be-girls-to-premiere-at-sundance-film-festival-9058114/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released on 18 December 2024, on [[Amazon Prime Video]]. Among the film's accolades, it won the [[Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award]].

==Plot==
Mira Kishore, a high school teenager, becomes the first girl in her boarding school’s history to be appointed Head Perfect while also being the academic topper. Amid the congratulatory cheers, Mira feels annoyed to see her mother, Anila, distributing sweets on the school premises. Mira scolds her, reminding her that parents are not allowed on campus. However, Anila, an alumna of the same school, points out that the rule does not apply to ex-students. She takes pride in Mira’s achievement and discusses its rarity with a senior teacher, Miss Bansal.

Meanwhile, Mira befriends Srinivas (Sri), a new student with a keen passion for astronomy. Their connection blossoms during a stargazing session, and they grow closer, sharing secrets and exchanging phone numbers. However, late-night calls with Sri raise Anila’s concerns, as she fears Mira might lose focus during this crucial academic year. Anila decides to meet Sri and invites him home. Despite her initial reservations, she finds him quite mature for his age and allows the two to study together at their house. Over time, the trio share lively conversations, with Anila often reminiscing about her school days.

As Mira and Sri grow closer, Mira experiences the early stirrings of romance and sexual experiences but feels hurt when he hides parts of his past. Despite this, their bond deepens, though Mira becomes envious of Sri's warm rapport with her mother. Tensions escalate during Sri's birthday celebration at Mira’s home, where she feels overshadowed by her mother’s presence in their friendship. Sri insists to Mira that earning Anila’s trust is vital for their relationship to thrive.

At school, Mira faces challenges as Head Prefect, particularly during Teacher’s Day when she struggles to command respect from her peers. She heads to the terrace to be alone, where Sri follows her. Upon realizing that they don't have the key to the terrace gate, Sri promises to obtain the key from Miss Bansal, saying "people have keys too". Shortly after, a confrontation with a group of boys she had previously reported leaves her shaken. Mira locks herself in the girls’ hostel after being chased by the boys and calls Anila to take her home. The incident sparks a clash between Anila and Miss Bansal, with the latter criticizing Mira’s declining academic performance and her mother’s permissive attitude towards her relationship with Sri, while Anila strongly defends Mira.

Back at home, Sri joins Mira and Anila and shares his perspective about getting what he wants from people. He speaks about how keys can unlock personalities, revealing to them that his key to Mira is "no bullshit". Sri privately reiterates to Mira the importance of being there for her mother, who has quietly endured a lonely life, and says that Anila's key is receiving attention. Mira finally understands Sri's manipulative nature and that she has underestimated her mother’s feelings and sacrifices. When Sri asks if he can return the following Saturday, Mira says no. In a tender moment, the story concludes with Mira lovingly oiling her mother’s hair, as they finally reconcile.

==Cast==
[[File:Preeti Panigrahi.jpg|thumb|upright|Panigrahi played the lead role of Mira]]
* [[Preeti Panigrahi]] as Mira
* Kesav Binoy Kiron as Srinivas
* [[Kani Kusruti]] as Anila, Mira's mother
* Kajol Chugh as Priya, Mira's classmate
* Aman Desai as Vikrant, Mira's classmate
* Akash Pramanik as Hardik, Mira's classmate
* Jatin Gulati as Harish, Mira's father
* Devika Shahani as Ms. Bansal, Mira's teacher

==Production==
Talati conceived the story of the film in 2018, drawing from her own experiences as a young girl, her school in [[Vadodara]], and [[Enid Blyton|Enid Blyton's]] book series ''[[Malory Towers]]'' and [[St. Clare's (series)|''St. Clare's'']]. At the direction of Talati, the film was produced by a majority female crew in order to create a [[safe space]] where "girls could be girls." The female crew include producers Claire Chassagne and [[Richa Chadha]], [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] [[cinematographer]] Jih-E Peng, [[production designer]] Avyakta Kapur, and [[Editing|editor]] Amrita David.<ref name=":0" /> The film was produced by Pushing Buttons Studios, and received a production grant from the French ''Aide aux Cinemas du Monde'' in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2021-12-21 |title=Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha's Pushing Buttons Studios Gets French Grant for 'Girls Will Be Girls' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/french-grant-for-girls-will-be-girls-1235139454/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Variety |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201224800/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/french-grant-for-girls-will-be-girls-1235139454/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was shot in over 45 days in the northern Indian region of [[Uttarakhand]], and in the capital [[Dehradun]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-01-18 |title=It's a wrap for Girls Will be Girls |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2023/Jan/18/its-a-wrap-for-girls-will-be-girls-2538731.html |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202005543/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2023/Jan/18/its-a-wrap-for-girls-will-be-girls-2538731.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal shoot a teaser in Dehradun for their production debut 'Girls Will Be Girls' |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/2021/jul/19/richa-chadha-and-ali-fazal-shoot-a-teaser-in-dehradun-for-their-production-debut-girls-will-be-girl-34809.html |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.indulgexpress.com |date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202005544/https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/2021/jul/19/richa-chadha-and-ali-fazal-shoot-a-teaser-in-dehradun-for-their-production-debut-girls-will-be-girl-34809.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Release==
The film had its premiere at the [[2024 Sundance Film Festival]], participating in the competition section of the festival in January 2024.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

The film also entered for the 47th iteration of the [[Gothenburg Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girls Will Be Girls |url=https://program.goteborgfilmfestival.se/en/program/girls-will-be-girls |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Göteborg Film Festival |language=sv |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112174557/https://program.goteborgfilmfestival.se/en/program/girls-will-be-girls |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was screened in 'Horizons' at the [[58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]] on 28 June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/catalogue-of-films/sekce/904-horizons|title=Catalogue of Films – Horizons|website=The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival|date=28 June 2024|access-date=1 September 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901035346/https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/catalogue-of-films/sekce/904-horizons|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was screened in 'Narrative New Waves' at the [[2024 Atlantic International Film Festival]] on 12 September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2024aiff.eventive.org/films/66b266717b43140047b624cd|title=Girls Will Be Girls|website=Atlantic International Film Festival|date=1 September 2024|access-date=1 September 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901052706/https://2024aiff.eventive.org/films/66b266717b43140047b624cd|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also invited at the [[29th Busan International Film Festival]] in 'Special program in focus' Teenage Minds, Teenage Movies section and it will be screened in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/artyboard/mboard.asp?Action=view&strBoardID=9611_05&intPage=1&intCategory=0&strSearchCategory=%7Cs_name%7Cs_subject%7C&strSearchWord=&intSeq=94209|title=The 29th BIFF announces Special Program in Focus 'Teen Spirit, Teen Movie'|website=Busan International Film Festival|date=19 August 2024|access-date=1 September 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901033258/https://www.biff.kr/eng/artyboard/mboard.asp?Action=view&strBoardID=9611_05&intPage=1&intCategory=0&strSearchCategory=%7Cs_name%7Cs_subject%7C&strSearchWord=&intSeq=94209|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was selected for the [[MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024]], where it competed in the South Asia Competition section in October 2024. It received a special mention from the jury, as well as the [[NETPAC]] award, the Young Critics Choice Award, and the Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=Rhythm of a Flower by Amit Dutta won the Golden Gateway Award and Nocturnes by Anirban Dutta, Anupama Srinivasan won Silver award at the closing ceremony of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/rhythm-of-a-flower-by-amit-dutta-won-the-golden-gateway-award-and-nocturnes-by-anirban-dutta-anupama-srinivasan-won-silver-award-at-the-closing-ceremony-of-mami-mumbai-film-festival-2024-13828814.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Firstpost |archive-date=11 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111102137/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/rhythm-of-a-flower-by-amit-dutta-won-the-golden-gateway-award-and-nocturnes-by-anirban-dutta-anupama-srinivasan-won-silver-award-at-the-closing-ceremony-of-mami-mumbai-film-festival-2024-13828814.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was released on [[Amazon Prime Video]], on 18 December 2024.{{fact|date=February 2025}}

==Reception==
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|100|7.7|61|consensus=A deeply felt coming of age tale that gleans insightful societal commentary from its intimate details, Girls Will Be Girls announces writer-director Shuchi Talati as a talent to watch.|ref=yes|access-date=24 December 2024}} {{Metacritic film prose|79|13|ref=yes|access-date=4 September 2024}}

Wendy Ide of ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote, "Talati’s work with her young cast is first-rate; this sensitively handled coming-of-age picture deservedly won an audience prize at Sundance".<ref>{{cite news|last=Ide|first=Wendy|title=Girls Will Be Girls review – simmering emotions in Himalayan boarding school coming-of-age drama|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/22/girls-will-be-girls-review-simmering-emotions-in-himalayan-boarding-school-coming-of-age-drama-shuchi-talati|work=The Guardian|date=22 September 2024|access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Indian critic [[Anupama Chopra]] termed it "quietly heartbreaking" and added that "female teenage sexuality has rarely been captured with this sensitivity and nuance in an Indian film".<ref>{{cite news|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|title=‘Girls Will Be Girls’ Movie Review: A Quietly Breathtaking Coming-of-Age Drama|url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/girls-will-be-girls-movie-review-a-quietly-breathtaking-coming-of-age-drama|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=18 December 2024|access-date=24 December 2024|archive-date=25 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225160012/https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/streaming/girls-will-be-girls-movie-review-a-quietly-breathtaking-coming-of-age-drama|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* World Cinema Dramatic (Audience) at [[2024 Sundance Film Festival]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desai |first=Rahul |date=2024-01-29 |title=Sundance 2024: 'Girls Will Be Girls' is a Sublime Story of Discovery and Reckoning |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/film-festivals/reviews/sundance-2024-girls-will-be-girls-is-a-sublime-story-of-discovery-and-reckoning |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314070646/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/film-festivals/reviews/sundance-2024-girls-will-be-girls-is-a-sublime-story-of-discovery-and-reckoning |url-status=live }}</ref>
* World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting - Preeti Panigrahi (Mira) at [[2024 Sundance Film Festival]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=2024 Sundance Film Festival Announces Award Winners|url=https://www.sundance.org/blogs/2024-sundance-film-festival-announces-award-winners/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=www.sundance.org}}</ref>
* [[NETPAC]] award at [[MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024]]
* Young Critics Choice Award at [[MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024]]
* Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award at [[MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024]]<ref name=":1" />
* [[Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Director|Breakthrough Director]] nomination at [[Gotham Independent Film Awards 2024]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=The Gotham |date=2024-10-29 |title=The Gothams Announce Award Nominees for 34th Edition {{!}} The Gotham |url=https://thegotham.org/press/the-gothams-announce-award-nominees-for-34th-edition/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |archive-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107133944/https://thegotham.org/press/the-gothams-announce-award-nominees-for-34th-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/independent-spirit-awards-2025-winners-list/best-first-feature-12/|title=Spirit Awards Winners List: ‘Anora’ Nabs Three Wins, Including Best Feature|accessdate=23 February 2025|date=22 February 2025|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award}}
{{Sundance Audience Award World Cinema Dramatic}}
[[Category:2024 films]]
[[Category:2024 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2024 independent films]]
[[Category:French coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:French feminist films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Indian coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:Indian feminist films]]
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:2020s feminist films]]
[[Category:2020s coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:Films set in boarding schools]]
[[Category:Films about mother–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:John Cassavetes Award winners]]
[[Category:Sundance Film Festival award–winning films]]

Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film) - Revision history

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