Bad Girl on OTT: How Varsha Bharath film redefines chick-flick genre to Tamil cinema

Bad Girl on OTT: The film follows a young girl's journey from adolescence to her early 30s, highlighting self-discovery and the challenges women face in society.

Bad Girl. Film still

Bad Girl, the Tamil coming-of-age drama, is the latest film to make debut on OTT. Directed by Varsha Bharath in her debut, and starring Anjali Sivaraman among others, Bad Girl comes off as a refreshing piece of cinema, merely because, during times when a man’s simple young days and boyhood has been explored much, Bad Girl becomes that bold and daring yet simplistic film that represents the girlhood that most of us would have gone through. But beyond, cinematically speaking, Varsha Bharath crafts a chick-lit, a genre seldom employed by Tamil cinema.

Bad Girl on OTT: Varsha Bharath crafts a chick-flick for Tamil cinema

Chick-lit, and chick-flicks are no new genre for Indian moviegoers, who have been an audience forever, to the Hollywood titles that have immense popularity here. Be it Devil Wears Prada, and Mamma Mia from the West, or even Queen, Jab We Met, and Veere Di Wedding that came from the Hindi hinterland, there have been quiet a niche audience for films that explore a woman’s coming-of-age, and self-discovery. But down south, especially in Tamil cinema, the genre is almost nil, that the world self-discovery and being unabashedly expressive seem to be specially reserved for men.

Also read: Bad Girl director Varsha Bharath Interview: 'Everybody should be critical of their own surroundings at one point'

It is at this time comes Bad Girl, from the voice of debutant Varsha Bharath, who sets out to tell the story of Ramya. The protagonist, Ramya, as plain and common her name sounds, is any other south-Indian brought up. One who might be shamed to have a liking towards her boy classmate, or constantly reprimanded by her grandmother for entering the kitchen while on periods. But Bad Girl takes the title ownership more rightfully so, as we follow Ramya, from she being a young high-schooler, to that of her early 30s. Ramya is not just meant to represent every young woman out there, but almost every young adult (and by that even those who are in early 30s), when life seems to be throwing nothing but lemons. Ramya is that person, who begins to understand the importance of self-care and begins learning about skincare in her 30s, adopts a cat and rents her own roof, when her friends are already settled abroad, expecting kids, and growing their careers.

Also read: Bad Girl movie review: Anjali Sivaraman, Varsha Bharath and team craft a brilliant, honest, and relatable coming-of-age that talks for women

With Bad Girl, Varsha Bharath makes Ramya a prototype example of almost every young adult out there, who may do not find their life as exciting and achieving as their peers, but says it is okay to figure out what you want, and not want. Bad Girl explores the no-no that women are conditioned to here, like having a boyfriend, or wanting to defy the marriageable age that the society and relatives zero on. Tamil cinema, which for long has villainised or humourised really subtle presences like former lovers or girl friends, who wish nothing but vile, now sees Bad Girl as a bold yet calm and breezy change to stereotypes. The medium that Bad Girl uses, for this is sisterhood. Be it her college friend who warns Ramya against her toxic relationship, or the same friend, who is now miles apart, and still listening to woes of Ramya as they are now adults, Bad Girl is a journey of self-discovery through relationships and friendships. Or that one ex-partner, who may not be with you but wishes you best and can turn up when in need.

In such details, Bad Girl becomes a refreshing, and much-needed starter for a genre that Tamil cinema has missed capitalising on. At the time when films are focussed to cater to the Gen-Z audience, and relatability is how a content is qualified, Bad Girl becomes a prime example for talking about feelings and experiences with breezy touch. Bad Girl pushes for the likes of Snegithiye and O Baby, to make its way into big screens again. When stories of women need not just be about hard-core empowerment and inspiring, but also casual, breezy, and extremely relatable.

Where to watch Bad Girl on OTT?

Streaming on JioHotstar with multiple audio options, you can watch with OTTplay Premium. Directed by Varsha Bharath and starring Anjali Sivaraman, Shanthi Priya, Saranya Ravichandran, Hridhu Haroon, TeeJay Arunasalam, Sashank Bommireddipalli, and others, Bad Girl is a must-watch.

FAQs

Q. Where can I watch Bad Girl?

A. You can watch Bad Girl on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium from November 4.

Q. What is the Bad Girl Tamil movie about?

A. Bad Girl is a coming-of-age story of a young woman, from her teenage to her early 30s.

Q. Is Bad Girl a good movie?

A. Yes, Bad Girl opened to good reviews and bagged some international awards at film festivals.

Share