Waack Girls is a dance drama film that revolves around a group of young dancers who come together to form a dance crew. The movie follows their journey as they prepare to compete in a prestigious dance competition. Along the way, they face various challenges, including personal conflicts, financial struggles, and self-doubt. Waack Girls follows Ishani (played by Mekhola Bose), a talented Math student from Kolkata, who gains a new passion for life after finding the energetic dance style of waacking. With her diverse team found throughout The City Of Joy, along with new manager Lopa (played by Rytasha Rathore), she explores the underground dance world, moving closer to becoming well-known. Spanning nine episodes, the show delves into the search for self-identity through dance, yet struggles to uphold a cohesive level of storytelling. Ishani’s grandfather (played by actor Barun Chanda), is the central focus of her personal life as he struggles with the initial symptoms of dementia. The show also explores the backgrounds of Ishani’s team members, but only briefly touches on their pasts. Tess (played by Chrisann Pereira) faces challenges with her mother’s (played by Lillete Dubey) gambling addiction, Michke (played by Priyam Saha) deals with her mother’s constant nagging and Anumita (played by Ruby Sah) wrestles with being a gymnast aspiring to dance. Ishani’s friend LP (played by Anasua Chowdhury), who is a fashion designer struggling with financial difficulties, brings some moments of joy, but their storylines are hurried, making viewers want more depth.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Waack Girls series is a captivating and energetic show that showcases the journey of a vibrant dance crew. The series follows these girls as they navigate their passion for dance, overcome challenges, and pursue their dreams. With its inspirational storyline, the show is able to motivate and uplift its viewers. The show features high-energy dance performances that blend elements of waacking, voguing, and hip-hop. They are a talented and dynamic group of young women who embody empowerment, self-expression and body positivity. Their strong female leads and authentic portrayal of friendships make the show relatable and engaging. Throughout the series, they face various obstacles and challenges, but they consistently demonstrate resilience, determination, and teamwork. Their ability to overcome adversity is a testament to the power of friendship and perseverance.
DRAWBACKS
Despite its impressive style, the series sometimes struggles, becoming weak in certain areas by depending on familiar emotional patterns instead of originality, and featuring some repetitive storylines. The editing and cinematography, while visually appealing, sometimes feel inconsistent and lacking in polish, here and there. However, Taraporevala’s directing skillfully juggles light-hearted moments with the show’s deeper themes, showcasing subtlety and strength in handling the six interconnected lives.
PERFORMANCES
Mekhola Bose gives a sincere and genuine portrayal of Ishani, exuding a genuine charm that feels new and real. She depicts the character’s complex challenges well – juggling intelligence, money problems and the emotional burden of looking after her grandfather – all while craving the liberation of waacking. Mekhola, granddaughter of the iconic Soumitra Chatterjee, effectively portrays Ishani’s experiences, allowing the audience to connect with her happiness and sorrows. Her interactions with the incomparable Barun Chanda evoke a warm feeling and stay with you. Rytasha Rathore, in the role of Lopa, effectively embodies her character on screen. She effortlessly maneuvers through periods of self-doubt, surges of confidence and emotional breakdowns. No matter if she is struggling with inner doubts or exuding a confident and unapologetic vibe, her performance comes across as authentic and easy to connect with. Barun Chanda and Lillete Dubey are consistently excellent, just like Chrisann Pereira and Priyam Saha.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
The girls experience has its moments of peak performance. The problems have always been present, yet there is a certain novelty in how they are presented. A show about females, created by a female….Director Sooni Taraporevala has done a good job. The depiction of Kolkata shines in the series. The cinematography beautifully showcases the city’s character, from its lively streets to the charming Bow Barracks. Yet, a few Bengali figures succumb to overused stereotypes, diminishing the genuineness of the otherwise vibrant backdrop. The show also incorporates various subplots alongside its main storyline, with some being successful while others are not as engaging. They do add some humorous moments, but ultimately do not effectively connect to the overall story.
VERDICT
Waack Girls is a vibrant and captivating series showcasing dance’s beauty and the strength of female friendships. With its inspiring storyline, talented cast and stunning cinematography, the show is a compelling watch. However, it’s not without its flaws, as it sometimes relies on familiar emotional patterns and repetitive storylines, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Despite these drawbacks, the series remains a heartwarming and engaging exploration of female empowerment, self-expression and the power of dance. With some refinement in its narrative and technical aspects, Waack Girls could have been a truly unforgettable viewing experience. Nevertheless, it’s still a worthwhile watch for anyone looking for a uplifting and energetic drama.
CREATED & DIRECTED BY:
Padma Shri awardee Sooni Taraporevala
CO-WRITTEN BY: Sooni, Iyanah Bativala and Ronny Sen
PRODUCED BY: Â
Caleb Franklin, Vikesh Bhutani and
Sooni Taraporevala
CAST: Â Mekhola Bose, Rytasha Rathore, Anasua Chowdhury, Â Chrisann Pereira, Priyam Saha, Ruby Sah, Achintya Bose, Barun Chanda, Lillete Dubey and the late Nitesh Pandey.
RATING: 3.5/5
WAACK GIRLS : WAACKING ITS WAY WITH HEART-PUMPING & FOOT-STOMPING DRAMA
