‘Sharmajee Ki Beti’ is a heartwarming movie that marks the feature debut of director Tahira Kashyap. The film beautifully celebrates women and their stories across different stages of life, blending genuine humor with real, relatable issues. It revolves around three women, all sharing the surname Sharma, whose lives intertwine briefly while remaining distinct.
The film portrays a teenage girl, Swati Sharma (Vanshika Taparia), who is anxious about not getting her period yet. Her mother, Jyoti Sharma (Sakshi Tanwar), is juggling her career as a teacher and motherhood, all while feeling disconnected from her daughter despite having a supportive husband, Sudhir (Sharib Hashmi). Another story follows Kiran Sharma (Divya Dutta), a housewife from Patiala trying to adapt to the fast-paced life in Mumbai while dealing with a distant husband, Vinod (Parvin Dabas). Meanwhile, her daughter Gurveen (Arista Mehta), Swati’s best friend, struggles with teenage confusion and self-image issues. The third storyline focuses on Tanvi Sharma (Saiyami Kher), an aspiring cricketer facing societal pressures to conform to traditional ideas of femininity.
Tahira Kashyap’s writing stands out for its authenticity and charm. She allows her characters to embrace their flaws while highlighting their inner strength. The film addresses themes like motherhood, marriage, identity, and societal expectations with a light-hearted yet impactful approach. It avoids being preachy, instead relying on small, meaningful moments and sharp humor to connect with the audience.
The performances are another highlight. Vanshika Taparia and Arista Mehta shine as the young duo, bringing energy and humor to the film. Sakshi Tanwar delivers a powerful portrayal of a working mother balancing strength and vulnerability. Divya Dutta is remarkable as a housewife rediscovering herself, particularly in an emotional climax scene with her husband. Saiyami Kher’s character feels slightly underdeveloped, but she still adds value to the story. Sharib Hashmi stands out as the loving and supportive husband, while Parvin Dabas makes an impact in his limited screen time.
While the film largely succeeds, it does rely on a few stereotypes, such as labeling housewives as idle or career women as neglectful, which slightly undercuts its message of celebrating women. Despite this, the film’s warmth, humor, and relatable storytelling make it a memorable watch.
Sharmajee Ki Beti is a slice-of-life film that uplifts women’s stories with sincerity, showing them as strong yet imperfect individuals. It’s a refreshing and heartfelt debut for Tahira Kashyap that leaves you with a smile.