Recognising them as equals

For long transgenders were depicted as comic relief in Malayalam movies. But now many filmmkers are coming forward to project their lives, instead of ridiculing and mimicking them. Kozhikode native Pravi Nair, is making his directorial debut with the movie SHE. According to him SHE stands for ‘Social Human Equality’ and attempts a realistic portrayal of the lives of transgenders.

Taking a step ahead, the director has used his movie as a platform to support the transgender community by offering its members a place in the technical aspects as assistants, providing a standard pay. “Transgenders are the most genuine and innocent lot I have ever met. They need social inclusion and acceptance, more than just gender policies. I want them to enjoy equality as humans and not based on gender,” says Pravi, who has cast a horde of  newbies, many of them transgenders, in the movie. 

SHE shows how Sivani, portrayed by model-turned actress Diya Parveen, realises her sexual identity of a male and lives hiding it until her colleague Arjun (Rahul Radh) falls for her. The plot depicts the complexity of their relationship and Sivani’s journey through self-realisation. “If at least one person stops laughing at a transgender or takes her home as a friend after watching SHE, I will consider that as my success as a filmmaker,” Pravi adds. The movie will go on the floors next month.