Gippi
Year: 2013
Director: Sonam Nair
Cast: Riya Vij, Divya Dutta
 

Hindi teen flicks have largely been inspired by Disney channel counterparts. Caricatured teachers, stereotyped students, high-school politics, romances, breakups, parties, elections, the bullying and the ‘fitting in’….the formula is set and it just keeps getting reworked. Talking of K-Jo productions’ teen fare, we have already seen it in Student Of The Year. Now comes Gippi, a film that gives away precious little about its plot through its title. Is it going to be any different?

What’s the plot?

Gippi is the short-form for Gurpreet, who is an overweight fourteen year old girl, who in the solitude of her bedroom revels in dancing to rollicking Shammi Kapoor songs. When the fantasy is over and reality takes over, Gippi looks at herself as a big fat loser. Her dad has left her mom and is getting remarried. Even though her mom is putting up a brave front and taking good care of Gippi and her similarly built younger brother; inside she is heartbroken.

At school, it is even worse. There Gippi has just two friends; is considered an ‘ordinary outsider’ and almost always ends up as the butt of jokes. A needless heartbreak through a misunderstanding only complicates matters. Then comes a challenge from the school’s mean girl and Gippi ends up standing for the Head-Girl election. But will she overcome her inner insecurities and convince others to look beyond her so-called ordinary persona?

What’s good?

·         A feel-good fantasy of an underdog overcoming the odds.

·         Funny and contemporary.

·         Excellent performances. Riya Vij as Gippi is adorable, perfectly natural and utterly believable. Divya Dutta is superb as Gippi’s mom. The side-acts (playing Gippi’s brother, friends and adversaries) all do a nice job.

What’s not?

·         Predictable formulaic story.

·         Clichéd characters and situations.

Verdict

Despite not breaking any new ground and just following the tried-and-trusted teen-flick formula to a tee, Gippi still manages to make a positive impact. It is well-acted, entertaining and light-hearted. It leaves you with a smile and a feel-good sensation!