What's The Inside Story Of Big Girls Don't Cry? Hear It From The Cast

As the highly anticipated series Big Girls Don't Cry prepares to premiere on OTT platform Amazon Prime on March 14, the creators and cast invite viewers into the vibrant world of Vandana Valley, a fictionalised all-girls boarding school. Against this backdrop, the show delves deep into the exhilarating adventures of independence, rebellion, friendship, love, heartbreaks, and dreams, challenging not only the norms of the school but society at large.

In an exclusive interview with SheThePeople, director Nitya Mehra, alongside acclaimed actor Pooja Bhatt and a talented ensemble of young actors including Avantika Vandanapu, Aneet Padda, Zoya Hussain, Dalai, Vidushi, Tenzin Lhakyila, Afrah Sayed, Raima Sen, and Akshita Sood, shared insights into the show's concept and aspirations. Get ready to dive deep into the heart of Big Girls Don't Cry as the creators and cast unravel the complexities of adolescence and the journey towards self-discovery.

A Conversation With The Cast Of Big Girls Don’t Cry

As the much-anticipated series Big Girls Don’t Cry delves into the lives of young women navigating friendship, acceptance, and ambition, the cast members reflect on their personal connections to these themes. Afrah Sayed, who portrays Noor, shares her heartfelt connection to her character: "When I read the script for Noor, I just felt like I was related to her. She wanted to do well, and whatever she did, she wanted to be school captain. She also has this girl gang, just like I did in high school. And they all want to do better together—you know, for each other. I felt very close to her in many, many ways."

The series trailers hint at its contribution to ongoing conversations about body image, self-esteem, and identity for young women. Avantika, who plays Ludo, delves into these complex issues. “I think that those kinds of concepts are kind of transcending time; I would say that even my mom kind of struggled with body image and insecurity. But I also think that in this generation, it feels so emphasised because we're all constantly under these magnifying glasses, thanks to social media, and thanks to the way that information spreads."

She continues, highlighting the unique setting of the series: "And I think, especially when you're among a group of women, it's so easy to compare yourself to one another. It's not really like you. I mean, you're looking at somebody who you think is prettier than you; you're looking at someone you think is smarter than you."

She underscores the power of the show's narrative in addressing these insecurities. “And I think that the experience of being in a boarding school and living and breathing with them, going to sleep with them, waking up in the morning, and seeing those same faces. And learning how to grapple with your insecurities when they're looking at you straight in the face is something that's really uniquely displayed in this show, amongst girls."

She concludes with a hopeful note, highlighting the series' empowering message: "When you look at them objectively, you're like, gosh, they're all unique, and they're all incredible in their own ways. But to watch those girls come to those realisations of their own accord, I think, is really powerful and sets a really amazing example for other young women who hopefully will watch this show."

Moreover, Akshita Sood, who is playing Dia Malik, opened up about her personal experience and shared what she hopes the audience will take away from the series. She emphasised the significance of recognising the value of female friendships and the opportunity for young women to create their own supportive girl gangs. Akshita stressed the importance of such representations in the media to inspire others. Additionally, she expressed gratitude for the amazing group of friends she's gained from the show, hoping it serves as inspiration for others as well.

Pooja Bhatt on Embracing Relevance and Purpose in the Series

In the upcoming series, Pooja Bhatt steps into the role of the principal, a character pivotal to shaping the institution and, by extension, society and the country. Reflecting on her involvement in the project, Bhatt shares her insights into what drew her to the role and what audiences can anticipate from the series.

 Bhatt expresses her enthusiasm for the project, emphasising her appreciation for its narrative and the creative team behind it: "Like what attracted me to this was the world, the story, and most importantly, the people who were behind, and I said that if Amazon is backing a show like this, where you've got these young women and they're growing pains, we're in a time when we desperately need real, believable, relatable role models, and I think that it's important to be part of it."

She further underscores the importance of relevance in storytelling, acknowledging the evolving nature of audiences: "I'm extremely astute; if I may say it myself, I do realise that you know, it's like, the audiences are changing constantly. So you need to be kind to the times, and I don't live in that lane called nostalgia. I live in the now. And I think, for me, relevance is the most important thing for any entertainer."

Delving deeper into her character's significance, Bhatt emphasises the universality of the themes explored in the series: "So for me, it was important to be part of a story that was kind of focusing on all these young women and their growing pains and be relevant to adults within that whole who had their pains and issues."

Director Nitya Mehra On Bringing Authenticity And Female Gaze To The Series

As the series prepares to captivate audiences with its authentic portrayal of life within an all-girls boarding school, writer and director Nitya Mehra also sheds light on the inspiration behind the series and the importance of incorporating the female gaze in storytelling. Mehra reflects on her personal experiences and the shared backgrounds of the creative team: "Everybody that's involved in making this show—the producers, the directors, Sudhanshu Saria, Karan Kapadia, Kopal Naithani, the showrunner, and all the writers—went to boarding school. And so, therefore, I made a show with a bunch of girls. And it's a coming-of-age tale through the eyes of an all-girls boarding school because I really do believe it's a unique idea."

She emphasises the need for authentic representation in Indian storytelling, particularly for young audiences: "People may not think that school is a unique idea. But the truth is that today, that generation is pretty much watching American high school stuff that does not exist in this country. So there is no real authentic representation of this particular age group."

In discussing the need for sensitivity and the female gaze in storytelling, Mehra acknowledges the evolving landscape of the Indian entertainment industry. She highlights the changing dynamics and increased opportunities for nuanced roles for women in the industry: "As women, we're considered arm candy. Or like you generally get auditioned for things that say, 'Hey, you fit the bill, like you're pretty.' You know, it's all changed. I think that's a big one, or the platform has kind of, you know, they're up there are far more varied, nuanced roles for women across the board today. So I think there's a lot to be grateful for as well."

Take a look at the trailer here