Sharmajee Ki Beti review: Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta shine bright in Tahira Kashyap's warm but overstuffed ode to women

Director: Tahira Kashyap Khurrana
Cast: Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta, Saiyami Kher, Sharib Hashmi, Vanshika Taparia, Praveen Dabbas and Arista Mehta
Where to watch: Prime Video
Rating: 3 stars

In the recent years, we have seen countless episodes women stepping out of their comfort zones and taking up a stand for themselves, whether it is a teenage girl battling body shaming, a housewife stepping out to earn or working women managing the house. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana's directorial debut Sharmajee Ki Beti will take you on an emotional ride that delves into the intricacies of womanhood, societal expectations, and the generational divide through the lives of three women sharing the common surname Sharma. 

The film revolves around four women - a teenager Swati Sharma (Vanshika Taparia), who thinks she's 'abnormal', and is worried about being the only girl in her class who hasn't got her period yet. Her mother Jyoti Sharma (Sakshi Tanwar) is climbing up the professional ladder teaching in a coaching class but is losing her daughter's respect, fighting societal taunts despite having an extremely caring and supportive husband in Sudhir (Sharib Hashmi). Kiran Sharma (Divya Dutta) from Patiala is trying hard to adjust in the fast-paced lifestyle of Mumbai and fighting loneliness with her distant husband Vinod (Praveen Dabbas). And Tanvi Sharma (Saiyami Kher) an aspiring cricketer, is under constant pressure from her boyfriend Rohan (Ravjeet Singh) to look 'feminine', and to sacrifice her career for him.

Sakshi Tanwar delivers a stellar performance as Jyoti, capturing the nuances of a woman torn between societal norms and her desires. Her portrayal is quite relatable, making Jyoti's journey one of the film's most satisfying stories. Vanshika Taparia as Swati brings a refreshing energy to the screen, effectively portraying the challenges faced by young women in contemporary society. Divya Dutta's portrayal of Kiran is equally impressive, balancing vulnerability and strength in her character's quest for identity, thus making it the film's most compelling arc. Sharib Hashmi's portrayal of Sakshi’s secure, supporting husband makes you want to pray for a partner like him. 

Tahira Kashyap's screenplay is sharp and well-crafted, with dialogues that resonate with authenticity and humor. The characters are richly developed, each with their distinct voice and personality. Sadhna's struggles with traditional expectations, Jyoti’s modern dilemmas, and Swati’s youthful angst are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. The film's strength lies in its ability to address unconventional, taboo topics while giving a message that women are not superheroes but humans. Overall, Tahira has aced her directorial debut which looks like a love letter to womanhood and motherhood. The music enhances the emotional tone of the film, with songs that are both heart-touching and memorable.

Kashyap's direction is confident and assured, showcasing her ability to handle complex themes with a light touch. Her background in writing is evident in the film's nuanced storytelling and well-etched characters. The film's pacing is generally steady, although it occasionally meanders, particularly in the second half. However, the engaging performances and the strength of the script keep the audience invested.

Saiyami Kher’s Tanvi, who is supposed to depict the modern young woman balancing career and personal life, comes off as unconvincing and cliched character though. Moreover, her role in the film seemed to be forced. It makes you wonder if the film would have even lost anything without this character and arc. 

The film's pacing is another major issue. The 1 hour 55 minute film does disengage you in the middle with the emotions getting heavy on you and transitions between the four women's stories getting jarring. It makes you feel as if it is a four-hour-long film. The film tries to deal with too many things at once. However, it does have moments that leave your heart satisfied and make you smile.

Sharmajee Ki Beti is a heartfelt and engaging film that successfully blends humor and emotion to tell a perfect story of womanhood that feels personal and doesn’t bash men. However, the overstuffing of stories makes you feel it would have been better if it was maybe released as a limited series. It is a must-watch if you are looking for some insightful, entertaining film after Laapataa Ladies.

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