Sharmajee Ki Beti Chronicles Often Dismissed Women's Experiences

This article contains spoilers. Sharmajee Ki Beti is indeed a heartwarming film. Centred around women, the movie explores relevant themes through the multi-generational lens of three middle-class women and two teenage girls, all sharing the common surname 'Sharma'.

The film vividly portrays their unique experiences and struggles, raising important questions about societal norms and expectations. Through the intertwined stories of these five Sharmas, it delves into issues without relying heavily on words or dialogues but through emotions. This nuanced storytelling is the brainchild of Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, who does an eminent job in her debut project as both writer and director.

From Tradition To Transformation: Sharmajee Ki Beti Chronicles Women's Stories

Let's delve into the story with Jyoti Sharma, portrayed by Sakshi Tanwar. She is a middle-aged woman living in Mumbai with her husband and teenage daughter in a middle-class setting. Both Jyoti and her husband work, managing their jobs and family responsibilities with equal dedication. Jyoti organises their lives with reminders, while her husband ticks them off. Despite their balanced partnership, their daughter feels Jyoti's full-time job is unnecessary, given her father's income is enough to run their home.

Redefining Roles And Overcoming Mom Guilt

But why does the daughter think this? It's due to societal expectations that define traditional roles for women and men. Jyoti's narrative highlights various issues, including the pressures on women confined to predefined roles. The story unfolds as Jyoti self-doubts her role as a mother and homemaker while pursuing her passion for teaching. However, she sticks to her passion and shows her daughter that a woman's career isn't always dictated by necessity or financial pressures alone but can also be driven by her passion.

Why should a woman give up her dreams just because she's a mother, especially when she can balance both with the support of a loving partner?

Choosing Ambition Over Marriage

Tanvi Sharma, portrayed by Saiyami Kher, lives in Mumbai and pursues cricket passionately, aiming for a spot on the national team. Despite having a supportive partner and a seemingly perfect life, her journey unfolds with a personal dilemma. What seems to be the issue?

It's her battle to embrace herself fully and declare to the world, "This is who I am. Accept me as I am, or I'm fine on my own." Tanvi's boyfriend is loving, but he struggles to accept her tomboyish nature, her love for cricket, her physique, her tied-up hair, and her unpainted nails. Tanvi ignores her instincts, fearing she won't find another lover like him, echoing advice from those around her, including her mother, who sacrificed her career for marriage.

Eventually, her boyfriend confronts her, expressing discomfort with her aggression on the field, preferring it only in the bedroom. He urges her to abandon cricket, confident he can provide for them. Tanvi's story as a modern woman highlights the struggle to prioritise herself amidst societal expectations that prioritise marriage.

Why should a woman leave her ambitions for marriage when she desires more than just that?

Rediscovering Independence Beyond Roles

Kiran Sharma, portrayed by Divya Dutta, is a lively Patiala woman with a passion for Tambola, now navigating her life in bustling Mumbai.  Kiran, a housewife, feels out of place in the bustling city. Her husband is too busy to even notice her, and her daughter loves her but isn’t exactly proud. Kiran's vivid imagination takes her to places where she's a killer or a superwoman, but she never pictures herself as an independent woman.

However, urged by her mother, who faced similar struggles when she moved to Patiala, Kiran begins to rediscover herself. Her husband suggests she go to the gym to pass the time but discourages her from working, claiming his income is sufficient. Friends recommend she host kitty parties as a typical housewife pastime. Kiran tries everything, but nothing seems to fit. Then, she discovers her husband is cheating and is over her.

How does Kiran find her strength? By believing in herself she redefined her identity. Her journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, earning her respect and love from her mother, her housekeeper, her husband, and most importantly, her daughter.

Why should a woman abandon her self-respect as a homemaker? Why shouldn't she seek self-worth, whether she works outside the home or not? 

In the film, we also meet two more daughters of Sharma ji, Jyoti’s daughter Swati played by Vanshika Taparia and Kiran’s daughter Gurveen played by Arista Mehta, both young teens in the 8th grade. These girls are navigating complex issues like menstruation and their emerging sexual identities, but they have the unwavering support of their mothers.

Jyoti helps her daughter understand her reproductive system by taking her to the doctor and providing her with books about periods, while Kiran accepts and supports her daughter’s revelation that she’s attracted to girls. How amazing is that? Despite grappling with their own struggles due to generational stigmas, these mothers empower their daughters to break free from the past. 

Can we have more and more women who choose to ensure they don’t pass on the burdens of their own generational baggage to the next generation?

The film, released on Prime Video, offers a compelling glimpse into the everyday lives of women across different ages, addressing basic yet often overlooked issues. It provides a poignant perspective by being written, directed, and acted by women, surfacing women's experiences that are frequently dismissed by society.