Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s inaugural production, Girls Will Be Girls, is making waves on the global stage as it sweeps multiple awards at the prestigious MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. Directed by Suchi Talati, the film has already earned international recognition, collecting accolades at renowned festivals including the Sundance Film Festival. At MAMI, it added four more awards to its impressive tally: the Films Critics Guild Sensitivity Award, the Young Critics Choice Award, a Jury Special Mention in the South Asian Film Category, and the Netpac Award.
Featuring a talented cast including Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, Kesav Benoy Kiron, and Jitin Gulati, the film delivers a powerful exploration of nuanced characters and sensitive storytelling. Produced under Chadha and Fazal’s joint venture, Pushing Buttons Studios, in collaboration with Blink Digital and Dolce Vita Films, Girls Will Be Girls has resonated deeply with both audiences and critics.Richa Chadha expressed her enthusiasm about the film’s success, stating, “Winning these awards at MAMI feels like a homecoming for us. After the incredible journey Girls Will Be Girls has had at international festivals, it’s truly heartwarming to see the film embraced with such love and appreciation on our home turf.
The performances by Kani Kusruti, Preeti Panigrahi, Kesav Benoy Kiron, and Jitin Gulati were both raw and authentic. Ali and I are immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished with Girls Will Be Girls, and we’re thrilled it’s receiving the recognition it deserves.”Ali Fazal added, “What makes these wins even more special is that the film has been recognized in the gender category. As a man and a cinephile, I’m thrilled to see women’s stories told by women.
They resonate profoundly with a diverse audience. We owe this success to our incredible team; Shuchi’s direction brought the story to life beautifully.”With its poignant nostalgia and thought-provoking themes, the film has been praised for its tender female perspective. It continues to pave the way not just as an exemplary piece of filmmaking but also as a statement on the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, where unconventional narratives are gaining broader acceptance.
