Ruchira revisits four films that deal with sexual minority communities in a sensitive way. An exclusive for Different Truths.

In our country, the sexual minority or LGBTQ community members are a hapless lot. Shunned by a society which considers them evil ominous and inauspicious, they lead lives of poverty and penury. They are forced to earn their livelihood by begging; alternatively, they dance and sing for newborns in families where folks believe that by doing so they ward off the evil eye. So that the infants may live healthy and happy lives. Unfortunately, this custom is now almost passé, thereby multiplying their woes. Nevertheless, over the past two or three decades, many liberal and discerning directors have boldly churned out films focusing on these children of a lesser god. Such films effectively drive home the truth that just like the “so-called” normal humans they too have their fair share of emotions, sentiments, hopes and aspirations. It is, therefore, unethical, nay inhuman, to jeer and boo at them perpetually or assault them physically. Let us take a look at some films in this genre.

Nevertheless, over the past two or three decades, many liberal and discerning directors have boldly churned out films focusing on these children of a lesser god. Such films effectively drive home the truth that just like the “so-called” normal humans they too have their fair share of emotions, sentiments, hopes and aspirations. It is, therefore, unethical, nay inhuman, to jeer and boo at them perpetually or assault them physically.

Partha Chakrabarty’s flick, Samantaraal, is an eye-opener. The title of the movie (parallel) envisages that members of sexual minority communities lead a life parallel to our own. The lead character of the film, Arko, is on a  visit to his mother’s maiden home accompanied by his girlfriend.  He is puzzled to notice that his mother’s second brother Sujan is not allowed to mingle with the rest of the family and is kept locked in his room. Arko manages to cajole his grandfather to allow him to take Sujan out with him for a while. The old man agrees reluctantly, while the other two uncles and their wives are aghast. Having interacted with Sujan more closely, Arko senses that something is not right and that the family members are holding back a secret. Finally, Arko is shocked to see Sujan dressed up as a transgender. The story ends with Sujan committing suicide. But, he takes noble revenge on his cruel, abusive younger brother by donating his eyes after the brother loses his eyesight in an accident!

I missed out on  Darmiyaan but the story touched my heart. It is the poignant tale of Mazhuddin Khan aka Immi, a  Bombay, based eunuch, whose mother, Zeenat, blatantly denies her maternal link, choosing to refer to him as a sibling instead. She gets embroiled an affair with Inder Kumar Bhalla, a big shot who ditches him, for a junior actress, Chitra. Furious, she sets out to seek vengeance and finally succeeds. But she is astounded by the news that Immi has fathered a male child!

Tamanna is the story of Tikku, a transgender and sole offspring of a former tinsel town actress, who now lives in abject poverty and is totally dependent on him. After her demise, he is distraught with grief. After the funeral, he spots a woman secretly dumping an infant in a garbage bin. Tikku adopts her, names her Tamanna (yearning for love) and brings her up with loving care, assisted by a close friend, Saleem.

Tamanna is the story of Tikku, a transgender and sole offspring of a former tinsel town actress, who now lives in abject poverty and is totally dependent on him. After her demise, he is distraught with grief. After the funeral, he spots a woman secretly dumping an infant in a garbage bin. Tikku adopts her, names her Tamanna (yearning for love) and brings her up with loving care, assisted by a close friend, Saleem.

As she begins growing up, Tikku arranges for her education in a prestigious residential school. After completing her school education, she returns home to discover Tikku’s sexuality. Horrified she begins avoiding him, but subsequently reconciles.

Later, Tikku learns that Tamanna is the daughter of an upcoming politician. He discloses this to her, following which she lands up at his palatial house to settle all scores. He denies his paternity and refuses to accept her.  In one cataclysmic moment, the youthful girl realises that the heart that beats within Tikku’s gaunt, hideous frame is far more loving and humane than that of her ruthless scheming parent!

In a similar vein, Rudra meets and falls headlong in love with Partho, a percussionist turned-drug-addict. Soon, a passionate love affair begins. The duo even decides to adopt a child. However, there is hurdle: same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt children.

In Rituparno  Ghosh’s Chitrangada, we find the protagonist Rudra  Chatterjee opting to become a choreographer,  in the teeth of opposition from his family. The first musical project he undertakes is Chitrangada, Tagore’s famous dance drama. The name is replete with significance.  As the story goes, Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur, is born a female but raised as male in order to ascend the throne. However, after a chance encounter with Arjuna, the Pandava brother with whom she falls in love, she finds herself torn between a desire to confess her love for him or to oppose him as a warrior. There is, thus, an element of sexuality palpable throughout the play. In a similar vein, Rudra meets and falls headlong in love with Partho, a percussionist turned-drug-addict. Soon, a passionate love affair begins. The duo even decides to adopt a child. However, there is hurdle: same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt children. So Rudra decides to undergo a long, tedious, albeit painful sex change treatment in order to have a feminine persona that would fit into their scheme of things. Sadly, the surgery is botched up leaving Rudra high and dry. Her dreams of a loving family and home life are shattered to smithereens!

Photos from the Internet