SIXTEEN: a teenage drama…admirable in efforts that sadly leave no mark.

Bollywood has always been short of coming-of-age teenage flicks [dharma productions’ GIPPI was the last in the list] that could honestly relate to a teenager’s state of mind crossing through certain kind of changing phase physically, psychologically, socially and in his/her personal understandings about the world around them.

Debutant director Raj Purohit’s SIXTEEN sure dares to speak about issues like attaining puberty, confusing career choices, strict parental monitoring, heartbreak, first crush, anxiety over virginity, taboo sexual desires and all that have been wrapped under sheets and are very much responsible for shaping up one’s character once and for all. Though the amateurish, uncontrolled & sloppy direction eats out most of the promises it had made with its neat-clean-confident look & feel, but no one can deny that it is bold-brave and beautiful in efforts that sadly never turns as fruitful as it should have been!

Film starts with a montage of 4 urban youngsters, each caught in different set of dramatic situations and then, the narrative takes us through their life 6 months back to establish the proceedings that lead them where they are in present. Tanisha, a gutsy girl in search of her perfect guy falls for a writer double of her age. Anu is a spoiled brat who believes in living in moments of life and is now on the verge of mental breakdown after finding dark secrets of her parents. Ashwin is shattered with his first heartbreak and is now on the run after accidently killing his highly dominating father. Nidhi, though an ardently family girl, finds a positive sign in self-pregnancy test kit and doesn't want to face her parents in embarrassment after breaking their trust.

Now, all these situations are pretty regular whenever you think of a film on youth but what is commendable in this effort is that the director never compromises on the conviction he had of making an honest film, so you will never find any kind of gimmicks to en-cash such a bold film with sleazy cheeky lines or scenes. I also liked the way he molds story to discover a refreshing end. Performances are clumsy sometimes but okay for the most. Story drags a bit before meeting its end. Direction shows a promising upper hand in flashes. Look & feel is strictly urban […and it sure restricts it to only multiplex-audiences] as you might have seen on TV in ‘HIP HIP HURRAY’ & ‘REMIX’.

Overall, it is an admirable effort. But we have yet to see an impressive teenage drama that blows us away completely. Watch it if you could grab a DVD, when released. Viewing on a Sunday afternoon, sitting on the couch at your home will make it more enjoyable. **[2/5]