Jeerjimbe

Rudri is a 13-year-old who is the brat in her government school. She gets a pair of wings to fly when she is given a bicycle by the government. While innocent Rudri has grand plans, her parents want to get her married off.
A film featuring children and dealing with an important social issue like child marriage - now that would automatically make you think this is one of from the serious parallel cinema makers. This is where the makers of Jeerjimbe have scored big. They have instead tried to keep the narrative light, entertaining and often much like one of the commercial subjects being shown on screen.
The film has a simple premise of a carefree youngster who is the darling of the village, living her own dream, until reality strikes her one day. There is music, dance and lots of laughs. In fact, the way the narrative has constructed the school life, there is the underdog, the villains and a bittersweet saga of friendship. While this is the primary canvas, it is set against the backdrop of a village that has a lot hiding behind the idyllic rural surroundings, where mantras score over medicines, where ambition is an ill-trait among girls and where child marriage is rampant.
Jeerjimbe is akin to the cinema one experiences from Iran or Italy, where the narrative is subtle and realistic. The emotions of Rudri and her friends are real and transcend the boundaries of urban and rural. This is where the makers score. If Thithi had a closer comical take on the rural life while still dealing with emotions that are universal, Jeerjimbe is a fun ride which ends on an inspirational high. The film has some very laudable parts, like the phantasmagoric sequence that explains the ills of child marriage through a street play.
That young cast does a commendable job with Siri Vanalli leading the pack ably. The visuals and the music add to the narrative ensuring they engage the readers. The film has a lot of interesting moments that make you laugh, cry and even sing along with the girls. Jeerjimbe is an experience that takes you riding pillion on Rudri's bicycle where you get a ring side view of her dreams and ambitions. This beautifully crafted tale might take its time to unfold but it is worth the journey as it leaves you on a high.