Film: Shimmy
Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Chahat Tewani and Bhamini Oza Gandhi
Director: Disha Noyonika Rindani
OTT: Amazon miniTV
Rating: 3.5 Moons
Very often simple things in life that might be of negligible importance or mundane becomes big milestones for others. Disha Noyonika Rindani directed short film Shimmy that is backed by Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment and releasing on Amazon miniTV depicts this notion through a day in the life of a father and daughter as they embark on an awkward shopping spree no one ever saw coming. The coming-of-age story of not just a teenager but also her father as growing up takes courage, even if you’re a grown up.
Shimmy stars Pratik Gandhi in the lead with Chahat Tewani and Bhamini Oza Gandhi in a pivotal role. The film showcases an awkward moment between a father-and-daughter as they settle into their new reality and changing relationship dynamics in the absence of the wife. Shimmy can be taken as an ode to all the fathers who feel inept and at a loss when their daughters embark on their physical milestone of transforming into a woman from a girl and how difficult it is them to broach the taboo subjects of growing up and the changes it brings with their offspring.
The film takes a turn to a happy ending with the entry of Bhamini Oza Gandhi and re-establishes your faith in the inherent goodness of people and pivots the film’s narrative by miles. It seems fascinating to see Pratik and Bhamini play strangers but with a spark that gets kindled by Chahat’s predicament.
Pratik in the role of the father who is grappling with his newfound role as a single parent to a teenage daughter is impeccable. He superbly channels his confusion and finally enlightenment with his expressions. In a society where fathers are perceived to be the disciplinarian and less expressive, Pratik’s journey in Shimmy is a breather and depicts the journey of a man from being the breadwinner/father to a friend and confidante.
Chahat as the daughter deserves applause for her nuanced acting. She portrays her confusion and hapless situation in the best possible way and is a testimony to the insecurities girls face around the world when they turn teenagers. Bhamani’s short role brings the necessary twist to Shimmy and she provides the hope that the father-daughter duo need in their lives and as audience you tend to root for her. Her forthrightness is also something that leaves a lasting impact in the film.
Disha Noyonika Rindani’s direction is lucid and clear and it helps that she wrote the story with Jai Mehta as she has the reins of the narrative in a firm grip. Disha does not let the narrative slip and keeps the suspense intact in the film with clever dialogues, picturization and camera angles that never show Chahat in full profile until the very end. Shimmy premieres on Amazon miniTV on September 17 and deserves a watch.
PeepingMoon.com gives Shimmy, 3.5 Moons.
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