Set in the nostalgia-filled lanes of early 2000s Chandigarh, Ghich Pich is a tender coming-of-age drama about three teenage friends grappling with love, identity, and the weight of their fathers’ expectations. Director Ankur Singla crafts a heartfelt debut that blends generational conflict with the innocence of youth, offering a warm yet thought-provoking look at how tradition and individuality collide.
A Glimpse into Everyday Struggles and Silent Emotions
Ankur Singla’s Ghich Pich is a quietly powerful coming-of-age drama, unfolding in early 2000s Chandigarh. It follows three teenage friends—Gurpreet, Anurag, and Gaurav—as they navigate the intricate terrain of parental expectations, social pressures, and self-discovery.
Against the Grain of Father-Son Dynamics
- Gurpreet, caught between love and tradition, considers cutting his hair to impress a classmate—an act that clashes with his Sikh upbringing and sparks conflict with his devout father.
- Anurag is under constant academic pressure from his ambitious father, whose well-meaning but relentless expectations weigh heavily on him.
- Gaurav believes he shares a steady bond with his father until a hidden truth surfaces, shaking the foundation of their relationship.
Each storyline examines how fathers, as symbols of both protection and control, can shape their children’s choices in ways that linger long into adulthood.
Direction & Storytelling: Light Yet Impactful
Singla’s debut balances restraint and emotional depth. Instead of leaning on melodrama, he uses small, everyday moments to reveal the heart of his characters. The nostalgic details of the pre-smartphone era—landline prank calls, hand-written love notes, and schoolyard games—are woven in naturally without overshadowing the central themes.
The pacing is gentle, allowing the audience to absorb the emotional beats. While the tone is warm, it never slips into sentimentality, keeping the drama grounded.
Performances That Whisper Truth
- The trio—Shhivam Kakar, Aryan Singh Rana, and Kabir Nanda—bring an authenticity that captures the awkward charm and vulnerability of adolescence.
- Satyajit Sharma delivers a convincing portrayal of a stern, achievement-driven father.
- Nishan Cheema adds quiet dignity to the role of a parent torn between faith and his son’s desires.
- The late Nitesh Pandey leaves a lasting impression as a loving yet conflicted father, bringing warmth and humanity to his character.
Where It Clicks — and Where It Could Dig Deeper
The film shines in its honest portrayal of relationships, avoiding heavy-handed messaging and instead finding power in subtlety. Its emotional world feels lived-in, with little details that make the families and friendships relatable.
However, the resolutions to each of the three arcs feel a bit too tidy, especially Gaurav’s, which wraps up faster than the emotional build-up suggests.
Bullseye Rating:★★★½ (3.5/5 stars)
A heartfelt slice-of-life debut set in 2000s Chandigarh, Ghich Pich explores teenage friendships, generational expectations, and the push-and-pull between tradition and individuality. Warm, grounded performances make it a quietly affecting watch.
The movie is currently in theatres.