Skater Girl 2021

In this poignant coming-of-age tale, Skater Girl delves into themes of self-empowerment, fearlessness, and blazing a unique trail. The film unfolds against the rustic backdrop of Khempur, a remote village in Rajasthan, India, where tradition and duty often dictate the rhythm of life.

For Prerna (Rachel Saanchita Gupta), life is a series of mundane chores and unfulfilled aspirations. As her brother Ankush (Shafin Patel) attends school, Prerna’s days are filled with household duties, selling peanuts to supplement the family income, and dreaming of a different reality. Her mother, Shanti (Swati Das), yearns to take up stitching to earn more money, but her father is adamant that women should be relegated to menial tasks.

The arrival of London-bred advertising executive Jessica (Amy Maghera) in the village sets off a chain reaction of events. As she settles into a local lodge run by Vikram (Ankit Rao), Prerna meets her when Ankush’s mischievous behavior accidentally besmirches her clothes. Prerna’s innocence and kindness spark an unlikely friendship, as Jessica learns about Prerna’s life without school and her passion for homemade skateboarding with her brother.

Jessica’s discovery of Prerna’s situation prompts her to take action. She buys a new school uniform for Prerna, empowering her to attend classes alongside her peers. When she shares the video of their makeshift skateboard on social media, it resonates deeply with her online community. This spark of inspiration sets in motion a chain reaction that will forever alter the trajectory of the village.

As Erick (Jonathan Readwin), Jessica’s old friend and skateboarding enthusiast, arrives in town, he brings with him a contagious enthusiasm for the sport. The local children are initially wary but soon beg him to stay and teach them the art of skateboarding. Prerna, in particular, is drawn to the thrill and freedom that Erick offers.

As she practices by the village pond, Prerna’s skills improve dramatically. However, her impulsive nature gets the better of her when she accidentally drops the board into the water, destroying it. Desperate to replace it, Prerna considers stealing money from her father but is thwarted when he catches her in the act.

In a surprising turn of events, Jessica intervenes and buys new skateboards for all the children, including one specifically designed for Prerna. The once-quaint village is soon transformed into a hub of activity as the kids take to the streets, their newfound passion for skateboarding infusing every aspect of their lives.

As they navigate the ups and downs of this exciting new adventure, the children learn valuable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and embracing their individuality. In the midst of this whirlwind, Prerna discovers a sense of purpose and belonging that had previously eluded her. As the village comes to terms with these radical changes, it becomes clear that Skater Girl is more than just a story about skateboarding – it’s a powerful allegory for self-discovery and the transformative power of taking risks.

As the kids’ enthusiasm for skating intensifies, Mahesh becomes aware of their truancy and takes his concerns to the village council. The Sarpanchs respond by imposing a hefty fine of Rs 500 for engaging in this perceived aberrant behavior. Meanwhile, Jessica faces pressure from her boss to return to her job in London, but she’s determined to empower the children’s newfound passion. The local cop (Sahidur Rahaman) cracks down on the kids, arresting them for violating the law, and only releases them when Jessica agrees to ensure they’ll attend school regularly going forward.

The villagers’ primary objection is that children from lower castes are playing in public spaces where they’re not supposed to be. Undeterred by the obstacles ahead, Jessica embarks on a daunting quest to build the kids their own skate-park. Erick journeys to Bangalore to assemble his team, while Jessica struggles to secure funding from local authorities and sports organizations. Vikram takes her to meet Maharani (Waheeda Rehman), who is moved by Jessica’s story of Prerna, a young girl with no aspirations or dreams due to a lack of encouragement.

Maharani warns Jessica that change can be perilous in India, especially when driven by a woman. However, she agrees to fund the entire project, and Erick’s team quickly gets to work, thanks to her support. The MLA announces a national skating championship, hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of the sport. With only three months until the competition, the experts from Bangalore teach the kids some new tricks, while Prerna dedicates herself to training, even risking injury in the process.

As Prerna’s passion for skating intensifies, her father Ramkesh (Ambrish Saxena) grows increasingly apprehensive about the potential risks. He warns Jessica to stay away from his children, fearing that if Prerna sustains a serious injury, she may become an unmarriageable prospect. However, Shanti realizes Prerna’s genuine enthusiasm for skating and convinces her to continue pursuing her passion in secret.

Just as things are taking off, Prerna develops feelings for a boy from a higher caste who attends school with her. He asks her out, but when Ramkesh discovers that she attended the local fair with this upper-caste Brahman boy, he’s devastated. In a fit of rage, he destroys Prerna’s skateboard, leaving her heartbroken.

With only one week to go before the national competition, Prerna is at her wit’s end. Her father then announces his plans to fix her marriage, and the wedding is scheduled for the very same day as the competition, casting a pall of uncertainty over Prerna’s future.

As the weight of societal expectations hangs precariously, Prerna (brave protagonist) is faced with an agonizing decision: surrender to the conformity dictated by the world around her or boldly pursue her dream of dominating the National Skateboarding Championships. On the eve of her wedding, Prerna makes a daring move, confessing to Ankush that she yearns for one final, exhilarating ride on the streets. With Ankush’s unwavering support, Prerna flees the ceremony, abandoning the festivities in favor of the rush that only skate culture can provide. Ankush selflessly lends her his trusty skateboard, allowing Prerna to seize control and carve out a path towards her true passion.

As the drama unfolds, Prerna finds herself scaling the roof of her reality, seeking liberation from the constraints of convention. When the wedding party arrives at the skating rink, Shanti’s keen intuition reveals Prerna’s escape plan. Meanwhile, Maharani, an astute observer of life’s little twists and turns, stumbles upon Prerna mid-pursuit, offering a lift to the determined skater. As fate would have it, Prerna’s parents also converge on the scene, opting against creating a public spectacle that might sully the occasion.

As the championship unfolds, Prerna takes center stage, her skills on full display for all to behold. Maharani, struck by Prerna’s unwavering courage, honors her with a special award in front of the entire assembly, including Prerna’s beaming parents. Khempur, India’s largest and most revered skate-park, serves as the backdrop for this heartwarming tale of self-discovery and triumph.