THE coming of age drama about womanhood follows up an award-winning premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, with a UK cinema release on September 20.
Academically gifted 16-year-old Mira (Preeti Panigrahi) has a sexual awakening after meeting new student Srinivas (Kesav Binoy Kiron), who is a little older than her and more experienced.
When her youthfully spirited mother Anila (Kani Kusruti) tells her to invite the boy over, it isn’t long before Mira feels like she is competing with her mother for the affections of Srinivas.
Meanwhile, her elderly school principal increasingly fails to keep control of the teenage students. As Mira’s relationship deepens, she takes the next step with Srinivas, at the expense of her grades.
The predominantly English language film about relationships, growing up and the sexual awakening of a teenager is a slow-burning drama that looks at the harsh reality of about growing up as a female in modern society.
The well-shot film doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths and often explicit scenes as it delivers an unflinching portrayal of adolescence and womanhood, without romanticising it. The flawed, vulnerable characters are relatable and brought to life by strong performances.
Preeti Panigrahi in particular is outstanding and delivers one of the best performances by an Indian actress this year with her restrained role as the confused teen.
She brings a rawness to her character and puts across the uncertainty felt by teenagers. Whilst thought-provoking, Girls Will Be Girls is let down by the painfully slow pace, which requires a lot of patience from audiences.
Despite being around 20 minutes too long, it kind of ends abruptly, after such a long build up. This is ultimately a movie that will most appeal to those who can see the various messaging, which is more a commentary on a young woman’s experience than being an entertaining movie.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.