A measured, subliminal coming-of-age tale

An adolescent girl looks at herself in the mirror. She measures her overgrown axillary hair and applies cream to the corners of her face.

- KARTIK BHARDWAJ

N adolescent girl looks at herself in the mirror. She measures her overgrown axillary hair and applies cream to the corners of her face. A peppy, suggestive song begins to play. Her routine actions take on a rhythm. She breaks into a dance, admiring herself and basking in the sleepy glow of the afternoon sun. She sees herself in a new light. She has just met a boy. Shuchi Talati's Girls Will Be Girls is a story of discovery, filled with such tender moments. Every gesture, every glance conveys something beyond the surface. When we meet the protagonist, Mira (a fabulous Preeti Panigrahi), she is badged as the Head Prefect at her boarding school. She takes to the stage and asks students to recite the pledge after her: "As a student of my school, I pledge to abide by the rules."

Standing in a line, a tall, dark, and handsome boy smiles. Abide by the rules. Later, he holds a paper on the notice board as she places pins on it. She hides a smile. Who knew sticking flyers could be so romantic?