Sharmaji Ki Beti Review: A Tender Portrayal of Femininity, Contained by Clichés

The portrayal of women in Indian cinema often oscillates between two extremes: sari-clad maternal figures or vodka-sipping party girls, with filmmakers struggling to find the balance and deliver a reasonably realistic portrait. Prime Video’s latest original film, Sharmajee Ki Beti, attempts to do just that through the story of five women, all sharing the same titular surname, across three generations.

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s main characters were chosen from everyday life: people you met, friends you had, or perhaps even the person you were. You’ll see teenagers worrying about puberty while adults deal with loneliness, patriarchal expectations, and strained interpersonal relationships. All Sharma women have their own battles. The film constantly fluctuates storylines, with characters appearing in each other’s verses from time to time, like crossover episodes.

A thoughtful portrayal of femininity

Sakshi Tanwar has given an impressive performance as a working mother

The scene is thoughtful and attuned to the smallest emotions, the quietest moments and the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface. There’s a scene in which a teenager (Vanshika Taparia) lashes out at her working mother (Sakshi Tanwar): “Why should dad help me get ready; it’s your job.” This small but powerful scene shows how deeply ingrained gender roles influence the often-ignored parent-child dynamic.

The film also sheds light on how men often unknowingly perpetuate hidden patriarchal standards. While they may be loving and caring, they still fall victim to the version of the ideal woman they have been told for years. Yes, they may help around the house but unknowingly view it as a favor, or acknowledge their partner in public but not be aware of his dreams or ambitions.

In the film, you’ll find many of these important conversations that take away the veneer of hypocrisy from society’s comfortable version of female empowerment: you have a “chance” to be an athlete, but your mascara has to be perfect; you can go to work, but God bless you if you forget about household chores; you can throw a cat party to overcome your melancholy loneliness, but of course, then you will become a “wellie” (person with a lot of free time).

Clichés and convenient stereotypes

Saiyami plays a state-level cricketer whose boyfriend constantly pushes her to be more feminine.

While the overall tone isn’t preachy, it does erupt in parts. The film tends to lean on tired cliches at times. There are moments when you can sense the panic of the makers wanting to include it all, ticking off an imaginary checklist of themes, even if it only adds to the clutter – the same mistake Sanjay Leela Bhansali made with Hiramandi.

This is especially true of Saiyami Kher’s character as a state-level cricketer who hates to prepare. While I understand that this may be a personal choice, I found the portrayal too convenient and stereotypical. For a film that aims to celebrate femininity, the need to masculinize the athlete rather than exploit her unique feminine qualities is quite disappointing. Kher’s one-dimensional performance doesn’t help either. I would have liked to see a more grey and complex characterization rather than a black and white approach.

Another area where the film struggles a bit is consistency. When you’re fully immersed in one of the Charms, another takes over, fragmenting the flow of the story. In my opinion, an anthology format where each story was presented as a separate segment could have worked better. This would allow the viewer to become fully immersed in each narrative and consider each story with the weight it deserves.

However, despite its shortcomings, Sharmaji Ki Beti deserves attention for its excellent attempt to shed light on various issues of womanhood and spark important conversations. The heartfelt messages and authentic presentation make it a good piece of cinematic self-reflection. I especially loved how, throughout his storylines, he captured the smallest, often most mundane aspects of femininity and their profound impact on women’s lives.

There is a scene in which we see an older woman (Sunita Malhotra) unabashedly enjoying an erotic audiobook or podcast. The short scene is surprisingly candid and dares to bring to the fore the often silent taboo topic of sexuality among older people. She breaks down the barriers of ageism and encourages more inclusive conversations about sexuality.

Brilliant performances at Sharmaji Ki Beti

Divya Dutta’s story is the most touching of all.

The film shone in some other parts as well. For example, Divya Dutta’s character is exquisitely crafted and elevated by her impeccable acting. Dutta plays a lonely housewife who moves from Patiala to Mumbai only to face a grim new reality. Her husband (Parveen Dabas) is now indifferent, her teenage daughter (Arista Mehta) prefers solitude, and her mother, back in her hometown, is not too keen on communicating with her.

This leaves Dutta’s character with a void. You’ll see her trying to strike up a conversation with every person she sees, including shop assistants and small children, who all brush her off. Her character’s pain resonates deeply and one can’t help but feel sorry for her. The film captures the urban loneliness that is increasingly common in modern cities with the care and sensitivity it deserves.

Dutta’s character also frequently travels to a land of her imagination where she is loved, celebrated, cared for and sometimes even considered a superhero! Each of these dream sequences adds playfulness, relieves tension and balances the tone of the film.

A surprising performance is that of child actress Vanshika Taparia, who plays Sakshi Tanwar’s teenage daughter. She screams, swears, overthinks and is often introspective and insecure. Taparia’s performance is convincing and realistic. I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.

Sharmaji Ki Beti is now available to stream on Prime Video