Gippi Movie Review

Read the Exclusive Gippi Movie Review by Ankur Pathak

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Star-Cast: Riya Vij, Taaha Shah

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Director: Sonam Nair

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Producer: Karan Johar

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Duration: 1 hr 43 mins

A cute story that takes us through the nostalgia-soaked times of the years in school, Gippi has interesting themes but is too shy to dwell on one with total commitment, only managing to touch the surface. Yet, the film has some emotionally-stirring moments and a beautiful performance by Rhea Vij (who plays the titular character Gippi).

Gippi, who is in the final year of her school is battling adolescent issues. She is hitting puberty, and is unable to react to the entire phase without being condescending about it. She is plump, not very bright in academics or cultural activities or sports, and constantly faces the need to prove herself and feel validated. Add to the burgeoning crisis, she has a crush on a senior who doesn’t understand her emotions, neither is he capable enough to deal with them maturely. She has a supportive mother, an adorable brother, and a lovely best friend, but she is certainly not the most popular student on campus. She wants to be. Or does she really?

Gippi, directed by debutante Sonam Nair tries to process these myriad emotions and put them in perspective. It deserves full points for the attempt, but the resultant product lacks depth and understanding, and reaches a simplistic resolution. The message is to accept yourself for who you are rather than alienating your true self.
To reach this stage, Nair employs a lot of stereotypical elements, but we can’t really accuse her of doing so, because the stereotypes are probably an accessible way out to tell this story. Hindi cinema hasn’t addressed issues of female puberty and the entire conflict-ridden transitional stage, and when a Dharma Productions bankrolls this refreshing subject, I think it must be given the credit for having attempted at least, even if it hasn’t been excellently executed.

A better director and a story which could say more comprehensively the same things would have become a path-breaking, genre-defying film, but Gippi falls for the usual trappings and isn’t as great as you’d like it to be. Right from the bitchy babe with the grades to the smug looking stud, all sorts of people that represent a category of people, are in here.

In its own little way, Gippi also becomes a celebration of films. With Shammi Kapoor tracks featured as a channel of Gippi’s free-flowing way of life, the classic tracks add spunk and make the film atmospheric and lively. Using a song is particularly smart, because it works very well as a cover up. It lets you say what you really want to, but being a popular medium it still maintains a distance between you and your emotions.

Overall watch Gippi for it is a cute reminder of the turbulent yet celebratory days of our school-hood and how, whatever you were at that point, you come out a better person - if not close to the world, definitely close to your own self.

Overall Review Verdict: A cute reminder of the turbulent yet celebratory days of our school, Gippi is worth a watch.
Ratings: 3.5/5