Filmed over the course of seven years, director Ila Mehrotra charts the extraordinary journey of Rudrani Chetri and her friends, who are part of Delhi’s transgender “Hijra” population. Whilst traditional Hindu society recognises the ancient Hijra identity as a legal ‘third sex’ – a community of holy hermaphrodites – this does not mean acceptance…
Many, like Rudrani and her friends, are shunned by their families, forced to live and work on the streets. They are seen to possess and are sought for their spiritual powers; yet paradoxically, are considered outcasts and remain segregated from mainstream society. In search of acceptance, Rudrani creates and launches India’s first trans modelling agency, consequently becoming Delhi’s highest profile trans activist under the scrutiny of world media.
Hopeful documentary full of laughter, drama, excitement, and pathos, this is a rare glimpse into the hidden world of the Hijra. From Mehrotra’s own unwaveringly empathetic directorial viewpoint: we immerse ourselves in unfamiliar places but find relatable stories of love and loss, hope and poverty, beauty, glamour, and catwalk glory.
This screening will be followed by a Q&A with Ila Mehtrotra, hosted by writer, poet and journalist Jasmine Qureshi.
