What is it all about
Growing old is compulsory but growing up is optional.. well Dharama Productions this time take the optional route with this sweet little charmer of a film where the focus is on growing up and being yourself a `star' in your own world. `Yahoo'.. this ode to the spirit of Shammi Kapoor is smartly and convincingly done by Sonam Nair in her first outing as a director where she tells us the story with a sweet little enthusiasm without becoming saccharine and seems to be fully obsessed with the subject like a first teenage infatuation.
Making us cheering the growing up of this little bubbly called `Gippi' on screen.
The Story
Gippi (Riya Vij) is a 14-year-old happy go lucky living in Shimla with her mom (Divya Dutta) and younger brother Booboo (Arbaz Kadwani). Dad(Pankaj Dheer) has left her for better looking firang. Gippi is plump, self-conscious and doesn't know how to handle the changes in her life. In school, she's constantly bullied by Shamira (Jayati Modi). During the engagement ceremony of her father, Gippi is introduced to Arjun (Taaha Shah) her high school senior. She's awed by his charm and mistakes his advances as his likings towards her. Her dream comes to an end at Shamira's party, Gippi now wants to prove herself and remove the tag of a looser posted by Shamira and her likes. She decides to contest the school elections of Head Girl against Shamira to prove herself.
What to look out for
Not just a teen movie `Gippi' is more on finding yourself, family, values, bonding and friendship. Sonam handles the theme admirably as it's not easy to sit on a teenage lap and deliver to the mind of an adult without losing its grip. A true lover of bollywood as it reflects in those references of Helen and of course Shammi Kapoor the songs are used brilliantly with great effect. The camaraderie amongst Gippi her mother and brother is fantastic. The scenes are heartwarming. The atmosphere in school is finely trapped. It's a task to extract the required performances from the kids and here Sonam excels as the teen brigade in the film are simply superb. Lead by Riya Viz she is the key to Gippi's journey, and she delivers the right notes of uncertainty and innocence with confidence. Marvelously done.
Arbaz as Gippi's brother is lovable. Doorva Tripathi as Anchal is fine. Jayati Modi is perfect as Shamira. Mrinal Chawla as Kabir and Aditya Deshpande as Ashish are cute.
Divya Dutta is fantastic. Taaha Shah is fine. Pankaj Dheer is okay.
Vishal-Shekhar's music is in sync with the film. Anshuman Mahaley's cinematography is eye pleasing.
What not
The end portions are not so endearing. The second marriage angle was good but somehow it just struggles to fit in the proceedings. Why this SOTY hangover..
Conclusion: Gippi has just the light touch it needs and its surrounded by terrific performances. This smarty pants is sweet little family charmer. Go for it
Rating ***and 1/2
