Got the right in the society, but when will transgenders get equal rights in Bollywood?

Transgender Role of Sushmita Sen

Shweta Chauhan

Sushmita Sen is in limelight these days because of the trailer of her upcoming film ‘Tali’. In this, the actress is playing the character of a eunuch from Ganesh to becoming Gauri, her journey is named Tali.

Now going a little further, let’s talk about its plot. Sushmita, who plays the role of Gauri in the trailer, says- ‘I am Gauri, this story belongs to many people like me because this Gauri too was once Ganesh.’

The story is clearly telling that it will talk about the image and rights of transgenders in the society. A revolution will be shown to give them the right to live with dignity. But our talk did not end here. If it is a matter of right here, then when will he get that right in Bollywood? When will Bollywood finally accept him as an actor?

Question of Sushant Divgikar (Sushant Divgikar Statement)

Sushant Divgikar aka Rani Kohinoor has raised questions regarding the casting of Sushmita Sen starrer film ‘Tali’, ‘Does Sushmita look like a eunuch?’

He further said that ‘if someone is playing the role of a transgender, then it is not a matter of applause or being happy from anywhere. This is the truth we are living. Deepika will not be made Shahrukh in Shahrukh Khan’s biopic, will she? Similarly, transgender characters should also be played by a transgender, not a man or a woman. Sushant’s question is very reasonable and this is also our argument that when it comes to rights and equality, then it should also start from there.

Transgender In Bollywood

Whenever we found in films, it was always a man or a woman who played trans characters.

Be it Vijay Raaz in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, Rishi Kapoor in ‘Student of the Year’, or Vaani Kapoor, Boman Irani, Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Vishwajeet Pradhan, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Prakash Narayanan, Sharad Big actors like Kelkar, who played a different character, missed gaining popularity and equality.

When is reservation in Hindi cinema? (Reservation of Transgender in Indian Cinema)

Many sections of the society are fighting the battle for reservation, recently the issue of recognizing same sex marriage was also discussed in the Supreme Court. We were surprised when there was no response from Bollywood on this matter for this fight. Then what is the use of such films where rights, freedom and equality are talked about? It all sounds hollow. They say that change should be started from one’s own house, but when will trans actors get their right in Bollywood’s house? How long will they have to wait for freedom from the shackles of the orthodox thinking of the society?

OTT Platforms Are Bringing About The Change

Amazon Prime’s much awaited web series “Made in Heaven 2” features Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, a transgender woman. He is a doctor by profession, who made his debut in this series. Facing many ups and downs, Trinetra became the first transgender doctor in Karnataka and today she is no less than an example for others. Now only Bollywood films are waiting for such characters to be given a chance.

Courtesy: IDIVA

Note: This news piece was originally published in idiva.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights

?