If your 21-year-old self had a vision board, there’s a good chance it would look a little less ambitious than Shyamili Das (Aarushi Bajaj). She has it all: a dream college, a CEO job, two kids and, most importantly, a rich boyfriend. Because apparently adulthood is a lot easier when you’ve already planned it down to the last detail. The only problem? Life did not agree to accept the text.

of Sriti Mukherjee Don’t be shy It takes the familiar coming-of-age setup and gives it a glossy, pop-culture-heavy makeover. Produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt, the Prime Video film is colorful, youthful and determined to speak the language of its young characters.

There are enough references to college fests, dramatic entrances, social-media lingo, fourth-wall breaking and more to make the film feel like it was cobbled together from a teenager’s saved Instagram posts and upcoming favorite movies.

At the center of it all is Sharmila, a young woman who is sure she knows exactly where her life is headed. She is ambitious, controlling and, at times, delightfully delusional about how well she has it all figured out.

Her relationship with Mayank Jhunjhunwala (Piyush Khati), the rich and famous boyfriend she considers her greatest achievement, is an important part of her carefully constructed life. Then, naturally, things refuse to stay convenient.

Mayank’s exit sends Shai into a tailspin, while the arrival of Tara Verma (Bianca Arora) complicates matters in a way that is far more interesting than the usual romantic rivalry. Tara could have easily been written off as a predictable second girl, but Don’t be shy Makes another refreshing option.

The relationship that develops between the two women gradually becomes the emotional center of the film, and their friendship eases into its better-written elements.

This is where the film occasionally rises above its candy-floss surface. Sharmila and Tara are not reduced to constantly competing for the same man. There is a place of love, awkwardness, support and the kind of friendship that comes when you least expect it.

The film also touches on body image, insecurity, ambition and the pressure to look like you’ve got it all together, though these ideas are explored within the film’s deliberately heightened universe rather than in any serious way.

Shai’s fourth-wall-breaking moments are another interesting option. She speaks directly to the audience, letting us in on her thoughts and plans and maintaining the illusion that she has complete control over her story.

It’s a device that works in parts, especially since the confident exterior hides someone who is considerably more uncertain than everyone wants to believe.

The problem is that Don’t be shy Not always knowing what to do once the novelty wears off. The film has a lot of ingredients for a fun coming-of-age story, but its plot is fairly easy to predict. Romantic complications, personal setbacks and ultimate lessons come as occasional surprises.

There are also stretches where the narrative starts to wander, making the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime feel more than necessary.

The emotional beats, too, could use some breathing room. Sharmila goes through enough turmoil to make for a truly affecting story, but the screenplay often moves on before the outcome of a development is properly settled. As a result, some of the heartbreak feels more like a plot necessity than something that leaves a lasting wound.

The supporting cast adds color, although many characters linger around the edges of the story. Kunal Roy Kapur brings his familiar comic ease as Mr. Q, while Anurag Basu, Neha Dhupia and Anju Alva Nayak make their presence felt without ever getting enough material to make a solid impression. Neha Dhupia’s Nandini, in particular, seems to hold a deeper significance in Shay’s world than the film ultimately explores.

However, the young actors continue to push the film forward. Aarushi Bajaj makes Sharmila very likable whether her character is difficult, dramatic or just plain funny. There’s an appealing honesty to his performance, especially in the quieter moments when Shai’s carefully maintained confidence begins to crumble. Piyush Khati gives Mayank the charm he needs, even as the character itself remains familiar territory.

Bianca Arora brings an infectious energy to Tara, and the film benefits whenever she and Aarushi share the frame. Ansh Duggal is particularly impressive as Dhruv Kumar, who brings a restrained vulnerability to a character who could easily have been a more standard romantic choice in the equation. His scenes with Shai have some of the film’s more convincingly emotional moments.

Visually, Don’t be shy Knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s bright, polished and undeniably youthful, with a comic-book quality that suits its lofty storytelling. Ram Sampath’s music adds to the breezy atmosphere, though the soundtrack doesn’t always have the power one might expect from a film invested in young love and college life.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with wanting to make a light, goofy coming-of-age movie. as a matter of fact, Don’t be shy It’s funniest when it stops trying to create big emotional moments and lets its characters be young, messy, and occasionally silly.

The trouble is that the film has a familiar story and doesn’t always bring enough freshness to make that familiar exciting.

By the time Shai begins to realize that the life she has carefully planned isn’t necessarily the life she wants, the message has already been telegraphed many times over.

Don’t be shy Colorful, occasionally funny and driven by a promising young ensemble, its predictable storytelling and uneven pacing keep it from being the memorable coming-of-age film it clearly wants to be.

It’s an easy watch for a lazy afternoon, but don’t expect it to leave you staring at the ceiling afterward, questioning every decision you’ve made since college.