Sheethal Shyam, the transgender activist is happy to have a role on screen to tell the world that people like them are no laughing stock. “People from our community are painted in negative shades or they are the emotional type. On screen, we are either one or the other. I have got a good role to establish the artist in me,” In debutant Jubith Namradath directed Aabhaasam, Sheethal plays an important character along with Rima Kallingal and Suraj Venjaramood in the film.
Not a first as an actor though, Sheethal feels lucky to bring a slice of real life into a mainstream Malayalam movie. “I acted first in Ka Bodyscapes. I had a blink-and-miss role but I feel grateful for getting such an opportunity. I have been in talks for this movie for about four to five months, before I signed the film finally,” says Sheethal.
Sheethal is not the only real-life activist in the cast. Actor cum activist Alancier and two more TGs—Sonu and Rakesh are part of it. Band Oorali is handling the tracks for the film. The road movie unravels through a bus journey from Bengaluru to Kochi. An incident occurring on the way drives the script.
“To a great extent, the movie deals with the way society mistreats women and transgenders. The way is to uphold our culture and indulge in all kinds of wrongdoings in the guise of it. My character, Meera, is a toy vendor in Bengaluru who has faced such circumstances” says Sheethal.
Other than the activism Sheethal is part of to support and promote members in transgender community, she is a dancer. “When I got a role in this movie, my friends encouraged me saying it is for the good. That now it’s time for me to showcase my actor side,” she smiles. Sheethal has joined the crew on the first day of the shoot that commenced a couple of days ago. Till July end, she has different schedules to complete her part.
“I hope this could be a path breaking movie to erase every stereotype associated with our community,” Sheethal signs off.
