Target Audience: Viewers who like coming-of-age themes in movies
Bubble Gum, Gippi
Yet another story based on a quartet of friends hits Box Office this time. But, it’s not a regular display of mischief which we are spoon fed with every now and then. Sixteen is a take on the life of Four-Teens [yet the movie is titled SixTeen ;-)] each having a different personality yet sharing a common underlying theme, "the dawn of adulthood and the resultant challenges". Throwing light on some of the intricate yet interesting thoughts which resonate in our mind during those days, Sixteen attempts to shed off societal taboo affixed to the youth.
Shot in Delhi, Sixteen is a story of four urbane teens (3 chicks and a chap) who during their transition to maturity comes across many of the experiences shared by today’s youth (love, lust, sex, heartbreaks, etc.). Tanisha (Wamiqa) is awaiting her prince charming while nurturing a notion that none of her age chaps fits her definition; Anu (Isabelle) is a voluptuous girl who is a wannabe model; Nidhi (Mehak) in being an upright girl is waiting for an ironic turn of events to lose her virginity while Ashwin (Highpill) is a reticent guy who is under constant pressure from his father to be an IAS officer. However, the movie is more focused on three girls and thus is a welcome change in the time of Bromance.
All the four protagonists in attainment of their ambition combats several rough patches potent enough to throw their smooth ride into a muddle. Several of the roadblocks emanates out of their peer pressure, parents’ over protective behavior and dilemmas of youth. The plot may not be novel but the narrative makes it an interesting watch.
A luscious flow of dialogues, uneasy situations and a silly tact of teens makes the movie a refreshing experience. The performances dint look refined to me but their very own amateurishness adds to the taste of the movie. Debutant director, Raj Purohit has done a decent role in identifying with lead characters and presenting them over silver screen. However, despite having a snazzy on screen display, the movie could not be sharper thanks to unnecessary songs(a Bollywood curse) and some futile scenes.
Over all, I enjoyed the movie because its coming-of-age drama has not been depicted with such an audacity in many of the Bollywood movies before. Its a sure go-go for a bunch of teens but a dicey one for parents thanks to several uncomfortable moments which they might not like to witness with their kids.