Shubham Kulkarni
Three women and two girls, all Sharmas from different families and walks of life, are brought under one roof to celebrate the spirit of womanhood. Tahira Kashyap explores women empowering their homes, dealing with infidelity, men telling them what to do, men being allies, and more.
Tahira’s directorial debut, even in some of the most serious moments, has a beating naive heart. The filmmaker wants to keep it alive, and it is evident. While this sometimes detracts from the tension and is not always effective, the movie manages to be a light-hearted exploration of feminine power.
Director Tahira Kashyap manages to present her story well, building it on a solid base. However, the problem arises when she takes it to the most obvious end and never really lets her girl gang have a conversation, despite there being ample room for it.
The film features seasoned actors. Sakshi Tanwar is effortless, and so is Divya Dutta. Saiyami Kher manages to hold her ground between them. Sharib Hashmi is a treat, as are the two girls, Arista Mehta and Vanshika Taparia.
Tahira Kashyap has ample room to delve deeper into the complexities of being a woman but opts for a simpler conclusion instead. Additionally, she places too heavy a burden on the two girls. They are in eighth grade, which is early adolescence. The way they talk and their clarity about sexuality are not reflective of their age.
What stands out is how endearingly Tahira Kashyap chooses to tell this story. There is so much heart in how she doesn't make men the villains; they are allies, and that is conveyed clearly. Divya Dutta’s performance is also a standout.
Sharmajee Ki Beti is indeed a heartwarming story that comes from a very sensible pen, but there is room for a lot more. This is just the beginning for Tahira Kashyap, and I look forward to seeing what she has in store next.