Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha Had to Break FDs Struggle For Seek Funds to Produce ‘Girls Will Be Girls’

The couple’s debut production receives global acclaim but required personal sacrifices to bring it to life.”

December 22, 2024: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s maiden production, Girls Will Be Girls, under their banner Pushing Buttons Studios, has been winning hearts and garnering praise. However, the journey to making the film was far from easy.

At a recent media event, Ali Fazal revealed the extent of their efforts to fund the film. “We are all from a country that is famous for its jugaad… its ability to figure out a way to get things done. Honestly, we asked for money from here and there, and even broke our FDs to fund Girls Will Be Girls. But we managed,” said the Mirzapur actor.

Also Read: RajKummar Rao Hails Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal’s Film ‘Girls Will Be Girls’

Richa Chadha highlighted the importance of collaborating with artists globally, which provided them the resources to finish the project. “For instance, this film was edited in France. It received a grant because of the core idea of the film,” she shared.

Ali and Richa founded Pushing Buttons Studios with a mission to support filmmakers facing financial challenges. Girls Will Be Girls marks their debut production and has already made a mark internationally.

The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it bagged two awards and widespread acclaim. Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra also lent her support by sharing her glowing review on Instagram Stories.

Also Read: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s Girls Will Be Girls Scores Two Nominations at Independent Spirit Awards

She wrote, “An honest, beautifully crafted story of desire, rebellion, and coming-of-age. #GirlsWillBeGirls, written and directed by #ShuchiTalati – streaming now, only on @primevideoin. – #preetiwooman @kantari_kanmani @kesav.b @alifazalo @therichachadha.”

Girls Will Be Girls stars newcomers Preeti Panigrahi and Kesav Binoy Kiron alongside Kani Kusruti in pivotal roles. The story unfolds in a boarding school nestled in a Himalayan town in North India, exploring themes of desire and rebellion through the lens of a young girl’s coming-of-age journey.

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Tags:
Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Girls Will Be Girls, Pushing Buttons Studios, Bollywood, Sundance Film Festival, filmmaking struggles, independent cinema, Priyanka Chopra, Shuchi Talati, Indian cinema, coming-of-age film, Bollywood producers, Himalayan stories