There’s a strange conundrum in films about the father-son relationship. Even though they’re stories of men, mostly by men, they act as spaces of patriarchal self-reflection. They’re stories where men try to make sense of the harm caused to them by power structures that stand to benefit them. Most father-son films will hinge upon a conflict connected with the burdens of patriarchy on men, and the intergenerational inheritance of that burden. Ghich Pich has three. Through the stories of three best friends growing up in the Chandigarh of early 2000s, this film follows 3 different father-son relationships, and how they reveal the fractures in society.

The three stories in Ghich Pich are connected, but entirely distinct in their own ways. While one friend is struggling with an abusive father who’s nearly impossible to impress, another has the most loving father in the world, albeit with a secret that threatens to destroy their relationship. The third friend’s father is neither overly loving, nor abusive. However, he quite simply expects his son to obey - him, tradition & rules. Through each story, director Ankur Singla wants to draw your attention to the different ways in which gender power structures impact the lives of men - their choices, their relationships, their friendships, their mental health, their careers, their identities, and their place in society. And at the same time, he wants to remind you why rebelling against those structures is not just important but necessary.

At the center of that rebellion lies a complex dynamic that can’t be painted in black or white. It’s difficult, but at the same time it’s beautiful. It’s infused with anger and disdain, but at the same time it’s filled with a lot of love. Singla explores that complexity perfectly. And at the same time, he serves you a memorable coming-of-age film about three best friends that is equal parts funny and heartwarming. You can watch the film in theatres right now.