Skater Girl

About Skater Girl

Skater Girl is a drama film that was released in 2021. Directed by Manjari Makijany, the movie tells the inspiring story of a young girl in rural India who discovers her passion for skateboarding and goes on to challenge the limitations imposed by her conservative community.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The movie follows the story of Prerna, a young girl living in a remote village in Rajasthan, India. Prerna's life takes a turn when a British-Indian woman named Jessica arrives in the village, introducing skateboarding to the community. Intrigued by the sport, Prerna develops a deep passion for skateboarding and dreams of representing India in the National Skateboarding Championships.

However, Prerna faces numerous obstacles on her journey. Her conservative family and the restrictive societal norms of her village make it challenging for her to pursue her dreams. As she navigates these challenges, the film explores themes of gender equality, breaking stereotypes, and the transformative power of following one's passion.

Making / Production

Skater Girl was shot on location in Khempur, Rajasthan. The filmmakers wanted to capture the authentic essence of rural India and worked closely with the local community to incorporate their stories and experiences into the movie. Long takes and handheld shots were utilized to create an immersive and realistic feel.

The production team also collaborated with the NGO Skateistan, which uses skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth. The organization provided skateboarding training and workshops to the actors, many of whom were newcomers from the local community.

Actors

• Rachel Saanchita Gupta as Prerna: The young protagonist who discovers her love for skateboarding and aims to become a professional skateboarder.
• Shafin Patel as Ankush: Prerna's older brother, who initially disapproves of her skateboarding but eventually becomes supportive.
• Ankit Rao as Bablu: Prerna's best friend who also develops an interest in skateboarding.
• Jonathan Readwin as Erick: Jessica's brother and a skateboarder who assists Prerna in her training.
• Amruta Subhash as Shantipriya: Prerna's mother, who is initially resistant to the idea of her daughter skateboarding.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The character of Jessica in the film is inspired by Sky Brown, a real-life British skateboarder of Japanese and British descent.
• Skater Girl is director Manjari Makijany's first feature film.
• The movie addresses important social issues such as gender inequality and lack of access to education in rural areas.
• The actors underwent rigorous skateboarding training for several months before filming began.

Awards

As of now, Skater Girl has not won any major awards. However, the film has received critical acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and authentic portrayal of rural India.

Quotes

• "Skateboarding is not just for boys, it's for everyone!" - Prerna
• "We need to stop making decisions for girls based on what we think is best for them." - Jessica
• "Skateboarding taught me that falling doesn't mean I failed. It means I'm pushing myself to learn something new." - Erick

Music

The film's musical score was composed by Salim-Sulaiman, renowned Bollywood music composers. The music beautifully complements the emotions and themes portrayed in the movie, capturing the essence of both the village setting and the protagonist's journey.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Skater Girl features a mix of Indian and Western music. Some notable tracks include:

• "Jugni" - Sung by Shalmali Kholgade
• "Yaara" - Sung by Jasleen Royal
• "Kho Gaye Hum Kahan" - Sung by Prateek Kuhad and Jasleen Royal