Shot over seven years, Ila Mehrotra’s documentary intimately covers the struggles and the resilience of the transgender community in India. For thousands of years, trans individuals have been a part of the hijra identity, a recognised third gender that also includes intersex and eunuch people. Rooted in Hinduism, hijras are believed to possess supernatural powers of blessings and curses. In this film’s spirited opening scene, they are seen in their finest clothes, as they are invited to shower a newborn with good luck.
The atmosphere might sparkle with jubilant acceptance, but the relationship between Indian society and trans people is much more ambiguous. Shunned by their families, trans women depend on sex work, often in dangerous conditions, to make ends meet. Frustrated with the narrowly defined visibility thrust upon her community, trans model and activist Rudrani Chettri launches her own modelling agency, with the hope of providing more professional opportunities. Her journey is a rocky and emotional one; while news outlets are eager to cover her efforts as a sensational headline, fashion publications continue to snub trans talent.
