For those with creative minds, the world is a blank canvas and they can paint it in colours of their own. They live their passion with all their heart and care less about what society expects from them. One such girl is Preeti Panigrahi, a young actress who turned heads in Indian cinema with her acting in Amazo Prime Video’s “Girls Will Be Girls” movie.
Her father ignited her love for theatre
Born in 2002, Preeti Panigrahi grew up in Noida with her parents and an elder sister. It is often observed in the Indian context that parents choose the career path for their kids without taking into consideration what the child wants to do in life.
Their love comes with expectations. Parents push for good grades and safe jobs far from risky paths. They either want their child to become a doctor or an engineer, even if those paths don’t call to the child’s heart.
Preeti’s father, Surya Narayan Panigrahi, General Manager (HR) at NTPC, broke this convention in a surprising way. He introduced her to the bright lights and big stories of theatre, which piqued her interest in exploring it as a young child.1
Her mother, Nandini Panigrahi, a teacher by profession also helped Preeti to manage her academics as well as various theatre workshops she participated in, keeping her on track with both. Her elder sister elder, Trupti Panigrahi is also an inspiration to her. She is an assistant professor and a trained Odissi dancer.
She received the National Bal Shree Award in 2015
While attending Amity International School for her formal education, Preeti showed her leadership skills as the head girl of the school. Her talents in art and performance shone bright enough to earn her “National Bal Shree Award” at just 14, marking her as a standout even then.2
She continued her higher education at Hindu College, University of Delhi, and joined the dramatics society, Ibtida. Just when she started to explore theatre fully in her college years, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, leaving her confined to her house. This was also the time when her creative juices flowed freely and she made a short film, “Just a PAER.”3
In 2022, Preeti took another step toward her dream by enrolling in the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Animation Cinema, exploring a new side of storytelling.4
It was the same year when she auditioned for the film “Girls Will Be Girls”, a decision that was about to change her life completely. Using her experience as a head girl, she gave a convincing performance that landed her the role of Mira, a teenager navigating school life and family struggles.
Tasting Success with “Girls Will Be Girls”
When Girls Will Be Girls was shown for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival, people really loved it. The movie won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Preeti also got a Special Jury Award for her acting.
In the last scene, her emotional and mostly unscripted performance touched many hearts and became one of the most memorable parts of the film.
The sky is the limit for her now. Whether on the big screen or behind it, Preeti’s future is bright, and everybody can’t wait to see what she does next.
Note- Her biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
References
- Can Women Really Have Strong Friendships?, Preeti Panigrahi Interview on HerZindagi YouTube Channel ↩︎
- NTPC Limited Official Facebook Page ↩︎
- Preeti Panigrahi Instagram Profile ↩︎
- Preeti Panigrahi LinkedIn Profile ↩︎
