(February 2, 2024) Preeti Panigrahi knew her goal in life ever since she was a student at Amity International School in Noida. She wanted to be an actress. Nobody in her family had a film background but Preeti would go on to find international acclaim in her very first film. Preeti Panigrahi recently won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for acting at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, held in the United States. Preeti’s debut film ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is an Indo-French co-production. It was one of the 16 films from across the world that was selected for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition of the festival.
Preeti Panigrahi
Playing the lead in her debut
‘Girls Will Be Girls’ was screened at Park City, Utah in the United States. While sharing the news of the movie’s premiere, the elated debutant actor had shared on social media, “Girls Will be Girls is premiering at Sundance 2024 in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. What does one even write in moments like these. It is so humbling that I am filled with immense gratitude for everyone involved in making this dream come true!”
Written and directed by Shuchi Talati, the movie, based in a small Himalayan hill town in northern India is about the rebellious awakening of a 16-year-old girl played by Preeti. Kani Kusruti and Kesav Binoy Kiron have portrayed the roles of other lead characters in the movie. The high-school drama is an Indo-French official co-production, a collaboration between Pushing Buttons Studios, Crawling Angel Films, Blink Digital, and Dolce Vita Films.
Unfortunately, Preeti was not there to collect the award in person when the award was announced at the Sundance Festival. It was received on her behalf by the director of the movie. Later sharing that moment’s video, the actor remarked, “Here’s a golden moment in my life, where I was far away tucked in bed, probably dreaming about something like this to come true.”
Multi-talented always
Preeti had always been an exceptional student, topping the class despite not studying very hard. She was an all-rounder and had even been the head girl of her school. Right from her high school she was known for being an actor, dancer, artist, singer, photographer, graphic designer, an orator with interest in social service. The youngster also displayed interest in filmmaking at that tender age. She became a member of the Bal Bhawan at NTPC Township, Noida. Owing to her creative performances, in 2015, Preeti Panigrahi received ‘The National Balshree Honour,’ a recognition by the HRD ministry of India. That year she was the only child to receive the honour in the age group of nine-11.
The award was presented by union minister of HRD Smriti Zubin Irani at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The honour comprised a plaque of appreciation, citation and Kisan Vikas Patra worth rupees ten thousand. Following this, her school felicitated Preeti with the Lt. Baljit Shashtri Award for being an all-rounder.
Preeti Panigrahi with Smriti Irani while receiving The National Balshree Honour
After passing out from school with flying colours, scoring 98 percent in her 12th board exam, Preeti went on to pursue bachelors in history from Hindu College, University of Delhi.
Acting and filmmaking – a natural progression
Preeti’s love for the performing arts and theatre only grew stronger and she became associated with Ibtida, the dramatics society in her college, founded by acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali. During that time, she had got an opportunity to attend a workshop organized by FTII on film appreciation, which brought her closer to her passion. She made around 10 short films that she uploaded on her YouTube channel. “My love for film-making, theatre, travelling, singing, dancing and sketching has kept me going,” she had remarked.
With opportunities to be a part of productions by NSD pass-outs and Asmita Theatre Group, Preeti kept on polishing her acting skills, and bagged several best actor awards in theatre. After passing out of college in 2022, the youngster pursued a PG diploma in animation and cinema from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
Finding the break
When actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal announced the launch of their production house Pushing Buttons Studios, they chose ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ as their first production and found French as well as other Indian producers to co-produce the project.
Preeti, who had started turning heads in theatre circles, was selected as a lead in the mother-daughter story that explored female sexuality, and went on to earn critical acclaim. The jury at the Sundance Festival was impressed with Preeti, who portrayed a frank, sweet, and vulnerable teenager to perfection.
‘Girls Will Be Girls’ team
Since 1985 Sundance Film Festival, an initiative of the nonprofit Sundance Institute brings together original storytellers and audiences seeking fresh perspectives and new voices. Getting recognised at such a platform has led artists and filmmakers to earn global acclaim. Preeti Panigrahi’s journey on the silver screen has just begun and in what way!
