Cinema and art have seen a refreshing representation of unconventional characters and narratives, with the spotlight on the other gender in films and shows serving as a much-needed catalyst for change.
With the emergence of Ott platforms, these narratives have broken free from traditional shackles, inviting audiences to embrace diversity, challenge stereotypes, and redefine acceptance.
Many films and shows have emerged that sensitively portray transgender characters, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and unique stories.
Here’s a list of five must-watch films and shows available on various Ott platforms that capture their stories:
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, it is a romantic film that revolves around a love story set in the vibrant city of Chandigarh. The film follows the journey of a bodybuilder, portrayed by Ayushmann Khurrana, who unexpectedly falls in love with a Zumba teacher, played by Vaani Kapoor. Unaware of her identity as a transgender,...
With the emergence of Ott platforms, these narratives have broken free from traditional shackles, inviting audiences to embrace diversity, challenge stereotypes, and redefine acceptance.
Many films and shows have emerged that sensitively portray transgender characters, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and unique stories.
Here’s a list of five must-watch films and shows available on various Ott platforms that capture their stories:
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, it is a romantic film that revolves around a love story set in the vibrant city of Chandigarh. The film follows the journey of a bodybuilder, portrayed by Ayushmann Khurrana, who unexpectedly falls in love with a Zumba teacher, played by Vaani Kapoor. Unaware of her identity as a transgender,...
- 8/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Actor Jayasurya and director Ranjith Sankar have teamed up once again for the actor’s 100 film titled ‘Sunny’. The Malayalam film marks the eighth collaboration of the actor-director duo. Both of them share mutual feelings of comfort working with each other. Ranjith and Jayasurya have earlier worked together in films like ‘Su.. Su… Sudhi Vathmeekam’, […]...
- 9/21/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
MollywoodA profile tracing the slow and sure rise of Malayalam actor Joju George – from an extra in the 1990s to headlining films two decades later.Neelima MenonFacebookIn the recently released One, directed by Santosh Viswanath and written by Bobby-Sanjay, which revolves around a fantastical Chief Minister, Kadakkal Chandran (Mammootty), and his utopian political ideals, Joju George played his childhood friend and Party secretary, Babychan. Their camaraderie, punctuated with respect, understanding and fierce loyalties is one of the warmest sights in the film. In broad strokes, the film also accentuates the actor’s phenomenal growth in Malayalam cinema and also takes us back to a bit of a history between the two actors. Joju’s first dialogue (in a brief role as a gunman) was in Vinayan’s Dada Saheb (2000) headlined by Mammootty in twin roles. When the same actor shares parallel space and significance with the same Megastar in a film 21 years later,...
- 5/30/2021
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Mollywood The film is directed by Prajesh Sen, who made his directorial debut with the Jayasurya film 'Captain'.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe Jayasurya starrer Vellam was released on January 22, much to the excitement of film buffs, as theatres are reopening after several months. The film is directed by Prajesh Sen, who made his directorial debut with the Jayasurya starrer Captain. This time too, he has chosen the same actor as his lead star. Roby Varghese Raj is handling the camera for this film, with Bijibal composing the tunes and Bijith Bala roped in for editing. Samyuktha Menon plays the female lead in the film. The first look poster of Vellam was released a few months ago creating a buzz online. Speaking about Jayasurya’s role in the film, director Prajesh Sen told Times of India that his character is inspired by a person who is alive. Jayasurya plays an alcoholic in Vellam,...
- 1/22/2021
- by Jahnavi
- The News Minute
MollywoodInterestingly, 'Sunny' is one of the most anticipated films in the Malayalam film industry as it is Jayasurya’s 100th film.Digital NativeA few days ago, there was an announcement that Jayasurya’s next is titled Sunny and that Ranjith Sankar will be directing it. And now, the first look of this film has been revealed creating a hype among the film buffs. Interestingly, Sunny is one of the most anticipated films in the Malayalam film industry as it is Jayasurya’s 100th film. It may be recalled that on the launch of Sunny, Jayasurya wrote on his social media page: “By numbers, my 100th movie. By heart, my first. To all of you, who have been a part of this journey, to all the forces that have been integral, I express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you seems like too small a word. But Thank you. I hope...
- 11/12/2020
- by Luke
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Ranjith Sankar, 'Sunny' is much anticipated as it is Jayasurya's 100th film.Digital NativeA few days ago, there was an announcement that Jayasurya’s next is titled Sunny and that Ranjith Sankar will be directing it. And now, the first look of this film has been revealed creating a hype among the film buffs. Interestingly, Sunny is one of the most anticipated films in the Malayalam film industry as it is Jayasurya’s 100th film. It may be recalled that on the launch of Sunny, Jayasurya wrote on his social media page: “By numbers, my 100th movie. By heart, my first. To all of you, who have been a part of this journey, to all the forces that have been integral, I express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you seems like too small a word. But Thank you. I hope to continue entertaining you with my work.
- 11/12/2020
- by Sreedevi
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actor came to the movies from television, doing his first lead character in the 2002 film ‘Oomapenninu Uriyadappayyan’, directed by Vinayan.Digital NativeRecently, Malayalam actor Jayasurya announced his new film titled Sunny, which happens to be his hundredth film. On the launch of Sunny, Jayasurya wrote on his social media page: "By numbers, my 100th movie. By heart, my first. To all of you, who have been a part of this journey, to all the forces that have been integral, I express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you seems like too small a word. But Thank you. I hope to continue entertaining you with my work. (sic)". On the mention that Sunny is his 100th film, actor Prithviraj Sukumaran wrote: "Congratulations Jayetta @actor_jayasurya on your 100th film! Here’s to the next 100! All the best to the entire team of #Sunny (sic)". Actor Dulquer Salmaan also congratulated Jayasurya. He wrote...
- 11/6/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film's shooting is underway in Kerala, with measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety.Digital NativeFile PhotoMollywood actor Jayasurya has reportedly signed on for a new film titled Sunny, a musical in which he will be playing the role of a contemporary musician. We hear that he is preparing for the role by growing a beard for a more ‘authentic’ look, among other preparations. The story is set in Kochi, but the team will be shooting some scenes in Dubai as well. Speaking about the film, director Ranjith Sankar said in an interview to the Times of India, “Sunny is a musical and it is a movie following a new concept. It also has a whole new pattern and we would start shooting the film following strict Covid – 19 protocols, at a prominent hotel in Kochi. The whole crew is also staying there as we shoot and we are planning a one-month schedule.
- 11/5/2020
- by Rajeswari
- The News Minute
FilmActors, producers and filmmakers react against the demolition of a church set raised for ‘Minnal Murali’ by Hindu groups.Tnm StaffKerala is not a land where communal forces can play their game, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said about the destruction of a church set built as part of a film shooting in Kalady. "Strict action will be taken against them," he said. Read: Hindu right wing groups destroy church film set of Tovino movie in Kalady Members of right wing Hindu groups - Antharashtra Hindu Parishad (Ahp) and Antharashtra Bajrang Dal - demolished the set, which was erected for Minnal Murali, a film with Tovino Thomas in the lead. The film's director Basil Joseph told Tnm that they had got all official permissions -- from the panchayat, the local temple as well as the irrigation department -- before building the set. Producer Sophia Paul wrote on Facebook that the film...
- 5/25/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
FilmActors, producers and filmmakers react against the demolition of a church set raised for ‘Minnal Murali’ by Hindu groups.Tnm StaffKerala is not a land where communal forces can play their game, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said about the destruction of a church set built as part of a film shooting in Kalady. "Strict action will be taken against them," he said. Read: Hindu right wing groups destroy church film set of Tovino movie in Kalady Members of right wing Hindu groups - Antharashtra Hindu Parishad (Ahp) and Antharashtra Bajrang Dal - demolished the set, which was erected for Minnal Murali, a film with Tovino Thomas in the lead. The film's director Basil Joseph told Tnm that they had got all official permissions -- from the panchayat, the local temple as well as the irrigation department -- before building the set. Producer Sophia Paul wrote on Facebook that the film...
- 5/25/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Mollywood'Saajan Bakery Since 1962' is a comedy entertainer that will revolve around two siblings played by Aju Varghese and Lena.Digital NativeThe Aju Varghese and Lena starrer Saajan Bakery Since 1962 is currently in the post-production stage with its release date set as February 21. Besides playing the lead role in the film, Aju Varghese has co-scripted the film along with director Arun Chandu and Sachin R Chandran. Saajan Bakery Since 1962 is a comedy entertainer that will revolve around two siblings played by Aju Varghese and Lena who fight over their family business, a bakery. The situation takes a turn with the entry of Ranjitha Menon. The technical crew of this film includes Guru Prasad for cinematography and Prashant Pillai for music. Aju Varghese, besides taking up interesting roles, has produced films as well. He had turned producer with Love Action Drama last year. The film, directed by Dhyan Sreenivasan, was produced...
- 2/1/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Gender and SexualityThough Malayalam cinema has won many laurels for producing movies of a progressive nature, the depiction of Lgbtqi+ communities has been either too wrong or else absent. CrisThe moon shines on one side of his face that night. You don’t notice the light as much as the slow smile forming on Amir’s face. He has just spotted Akbar, swimming in the dark, towards the shore, towards him. Akbar, the man of the dweep, looks at the newly-home Mumbai Malayali and speaks with an uncharacteristic softness. A few meetings in the dark like that, by or in the waters of the island, and you watch the unexplained, unapologetic beauty of two young people falling in love, and just reveling in it. It’s beautiful, their love, said the audience that watched it on the big screen. Amir and Akbar’s romance was a small part of Moothon,...
- 1/4/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ReviewA supposed-to-be-thriller, the mystery element seems forced in this movie that has Aju Varghese playing a broker who spends time with a mysterious woman. CrisIf it were not for the changing background music or the quick close-ups, you might forget that Kamala is meant to be a thriller. The mystery seems forced and the suspense doesn't make you wait with bated breath as it unfolds. Ranjith Sankar’s new film is a watchable one, nothing more, nothing less. Aju Varghese is not the funny sidekick or the annoying antagonist you are used to seeing, but the hero of the film. He plays the well-dressed, gadget-carrying broker called Zafar, who, in his very first shot, drives away a mini cooper and gives the impression of someone who likes to make some quick money and show it off too. To his clients (Sajin Cherukayil and Biju Sopanam) who own a resort, he...
- 11/30/2019
- by Haritha
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actor’s portrayal of a transperson in ‘Njan Marykutty’ won him an international award – Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival.CV AravindRight from appearing as a deaf person in his debut film as hero, Oomapenninu Uriyadappayyan directed by Vinayan, Jayasurya, the mimicry artist who turned TV host and then made a transition to cinema, showed he was an actor with plenty of potential waiting to be tapped. Vinayan also cast him in En Manavanil, the Tamil remake of Oomapenninu, released in the same year, 2002. Jayasurya, who earned a Special Mention from the National Film Jury for his role as a bank manager with a stammering problem in the Ranjith Sankar directed Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam, has now gone one better by netting an international award for Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival for his outstanding portrayal of a trans person in Njan Marykutty, again directed by Ranjith Sankar.
- 10/13/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe first look poster features Aju Varghese in an intense get-up.Digital NativeDigital Native Kamala, directed by Ranjith Shankar and starring Aju Varghese in the lead role, has started rolling in Chalakkudy, Thrissur and was wrapped up recently. The first look poster of the film was unveiled by director Ranjith Sankar. Going by the first look, the film's title has a tagline ‘One beautiful puzzle, 36 hours’, as it is said it must be a race-against-time thriller. The first look poster features Aju Varghese in an intense get-up. The film has Ruhani Sharma playing the female lead in the film. Touted to be a thriller where Aju plays a funny and complicated hero, the movie will see Ranjith returning to the thriller genre. He has previously directed two thrillers—Passenger and Arjunan Sakshi. Aju Varghese has acted in most of the movies directed by Ranjith Sankar. Su..Su..Sudhi Vathmeekam, Punyalan Agarbathis,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Luke
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe Tamil filmmaker has joined the celebrities who have been showing their appreciation for this Malayalam film with Tovino Thomas in the lead.Digital NativeEver since the Malayalam film And the Oskar Goes to… was released, it has been receiving several positive reviews. While the fans were heaping praises, celebrities like Basil Joseph, Ranjith Sankar, Madhupal and Shahabaz Aman also took to the social media to show their appreciation. And joining them is the National Award-winning filmmaker from the Tamil film industry Seenu Ramasamy who has tweeted: “#AndTheOscarGoesTobrilliantly & soul touching screen script. @ttovino #AnuChithara @madhuambat #directorsalimahamed Congratulations for grand success.” The film is directed by National Award winner Salim Ahamed. Anu Sithara shared screen space with Tovino Thomas in this entertainer. The film has a very talented technical crew with Bijibal roped in to score the music, Madhu Ambat for cinematography and the Oscar winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty for sound mixing and designing.
- 7/10/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
TollywoodThe actor reportedly walked out after having differences of opinion with the film's director.Digital NativeReports are that Tammannah has walked out of Raju Gari Gadhi 3 and that Kajal Aggarwal has been roped in as a replacement. Different reasons have been attributed to Tammannah’s ouster from the film. While one section says that it is due to call sheet issues, the other version is that she had differences of opinion with the film’s director Omkar. Apparently, Tammannah isn’t too happy with Omkar’s brother Ashwin given prominence in the franchise. Incidentally, Ashwin played a pivotal role in both Raju Gari Gadhi and Raju Gari Gadhi 2. Raju Gari Gadhi, the first of the franchise, was released in 2015. It was a horror comedy directed by Omkar. Ashwin Babu and Dhanya Balakrishna played in the lead roles in it. The film was bankrolled by Varahi Chalana Chitram, Ak Entertainments Pvt.
- 7/5/2019
- by Priyankar
- The News Minute
TollywoodDirected by Ohmkar, 'Raju Gari Gadhi 2' had hit the marquee in 2017.Digital NativeThe first installment of the horror comedy Raju Gari Gadhi was released in the year 2015. The film, directed by Ohmkar, had Ashwin Babu and Dhanya Balakrishna in the lead roles with Chethan Cheenu, Posani Krishna Murali, Dhanraj, Rajiv Kanakala and Vidyullekha Raman in supporting roles. Following its success at the box office, the director went on to wield the megaphone for Raju Gari Gadhi 2, which hit the marquee in 2017. This film was again directed by Ohmkar with Prasad V Potluri bankrolling it under the banners Pvp Cinema, Matinee Entertainments & Oak Entertainments. While the story has been written jointly by Ohmkar and Ranjith Sankar, Ohmkar had written the screenplay and Abburi Ravi had penned the dialogues. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni in the lead role, the film has Samantha Akkineni playing the ghost. The star cast also includes Seerat Kapoor,...
- 3/10/2019
- by Priyankar
- The News Minute
MollywoodWhether it's the award-winning 'Ee.Ma.Yau', the touching 'Sudani from Nigeria' or the little known 'Kunju Daivam', Malayalam cinema had a rich harvest this year.CrisYear 2018 woke up with a sweet hangover. The year before had left behind the taste of a dose of good cinema – Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum for one, Mayaanadhi for another. So then 2018 had the burden of proving itself, and it would, in the months that passed, give to Malayalam cinema some pure and unalloyed art - Sudani from Nigeria for one, Ee. Ma. Yau. for another. It’s unfair to quote just two titles from a year that gave quite a bunch of nice, little surprises. But these two movies also made a mark by becoming the only two Malayalam films to be selected for competing in the state’s own prestigious international film festival, the Iffk. And this time around, there appeared to be no...
- 12/26/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodRanjith Sankar, who directed ‘Pretham’ in 2016 with Jayasurya playing the mentalist, released the teaser to the sequel on his Facebook page.Tnm StaffThe teaser of Pretham 2, directed by Ranjith Sankar, was released on Sunday morning. Ranjith released it on his Facebook page, with the caption: John Don Bosco's story. It is a conversation between two men, one asking the other if he can really see ghosts. Jayasurya who played the lead in Pretham, a comedy horror directed by Ranjith Sankar in 2016, will again be the lead in the sequel. In the teaser, you see him tell a man about impressing a girl called Angelina in his orphanage with his magic tricks. She dies in tenth grade and he realises how much he liked her. It is to talk to her again that he began his work as a mentalist and got interested in paranormal activities, he says. Do you still talk to her,...
- 12/16/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film will see the award-winning actor play the late college student who was murdered inside the hostel premises of Maharajas College by political rivals.CrisThe smile is nearly the same. Minon John’s and the late Abhimanyu’s. In a movie called Njan Petta Makan, Minon will play Abhimanyu, who was murdered only months ago, inside the hostel premises of Maharajas College, Kochi. A BSc student and member of the Students Federation of India, Abhimanyu was allegedly killed by members of the Campus Front of India. “I had been following the case too even before the film offer came. I have friends in Maharajas and I know Simon Britto,” says Minon. It is his smile that first caught Minon’s attention, the young actor says. Minon had won the National Award for Best Child Artist in the first film he acted in - 101 Chodyangal. Now, six years and many films later,...
- 9/23/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film will have Jayasurya playing the male lead with Saniya Iyappan and Durga Krishna playing the heroines.Digital NativeDirector Ranjith Sankar and actor Jayasurya, who have brought out a number of films together in Malayalam, are ready to work on another. Pretham 2, the sequel to their film Pretham, is expected to come to the theatres as a Christmas release. Confirming this, Ranjith Sankar had posted on his Twitter handle a few days ago: “3 days to Pretham 2 shoot. The more you make movies the more prepared you get it seems:) We are ready..!! fun,friendship,youth, suspense, mentalism, horror and the ghost..:) See you all in theatres this X Mas!!” The film will have Jayasurya playing the male lead with Saniya Iyappan and Durga Krishna playing the heroines. Pretham, that was released a couple of years ago, had been a box office hit. It revolved around the lives of...
- 9/20/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodIt's sequel season in Malayalam cinema and we bring you a round-up of the recently announced films.Neelima MenonFor an avid movie watcher, sequels are always, at least on paper, an exciting proposition. There was the Mission Impossible series that began in 1996 and ran into six sequels successfully. Fast and Furious has had 8 parts in a span of two decades, with two more lined up. Back home, we have had some successful franchises—Nadodikattu, In Harihar Nagar, Cbi series, Punyalan Agarbathis and Aadu. Sequels are essentially character-driven and the time span has seldom posed a hindrance if it is well-made. Of course, there have been misses like Sagar Alias Jacky, a sequel to Irupatham Noottandu. Chenkol, on the hand, which came after Kireedam was more plot-driven. Here’s a quick look at the sequels freshly announced in Malayalam cinema! Bilal: Announced last year commemorating Big B’s 10-year anniversary, Bilal...
- 9/11/2018
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film with Jayasurya playing a trans woman has been receiving good reviews and lauded by the trans community.Digital NativeNjan Marykutty, the Jayasurya starrer telling the story of a trans woman, has released in the Middle East region, following many positive reviews. The film was released in the UAE and Gcc regions on July 5th. Thirty two screens in the UAE and nine screens in Gcc Oman are screening the movie, directed by Ranjith Sankar. The film was produced by Ranjith and Jayasurya under the banner Dreams and Beyond. Jayasurya had undergone a lot of preparation to play Marykutty, including wearing the Sari for days at home, and shaving himself three times a day. The movie was received well by the trans community in Kerala, many of whom identified with the challenges that Jayasurya as Marykutty goes through. From the society that is reluctant to accept her, to the torture she faces at the hands of the police, many real life incidents from the lives of the trans community in Kerala have been taken to the screen. Ranjith and Jayasurya had spoken to quite a few successful trans to learn their stories and know their difficulties. The film had released in Kerala on June 15 and received good reviews. A week later it was released in other parts of the country. Other actors playing important characters are Jewel Mary, Aju Varghese, Jins Baskar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Joju George, Innocent, V K Baiju, Shobha Mohan and Malavika Menon. Ranjith Sankar-Jayasurya pair have come together earlier in quite a few films, including Punyalan Agarbattis (2013), Su.. Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam (2015), Pretham (2016) and Punyalan Private Limited (2017). (Content provided by Digital Native) Also read: ‘My Story’ review: Parvathy and Prithviraj shine, but the cliched plot is a let-down...
- 7/6/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film looks at the life of a trans woman beyond her gender.CrisThe opening shot of Njan Marykutty is that of someone writing a letter. We see fingers with long, pointed nails. We don't see the face, we only hear the voice reading out the letter. Jayasurya’s, but slightly different in modulation. The camera shows the back of a person leaving home. Leaving life itself, as Mathukutty. When Jayasurya finally turns to the camera - it's Marykutty we see, a smiling bold woman wearing a beautiful cotton sari, courtesy Saritha Jayasurya. There is no back story. It is stated at the beginning - Marykutty has been trapped in the body of a man and wants to become a woman. The doctors are convinced; there is a surgery and Marykutty starts life once again at a childhood friend’s home, with the friend’s little daughter. For a moment, it seems all too easy. There are so many hassles a trans person goes through to make this happen, to live life in the robes and body of a gender they desire. But then the director – Ranjith Sankar – has done his research, and the troubles in Marykutty’s life are only about to begin. As they probably would for any trans person who has decided to come out and live in a society which has highly restrictive norms. There are the predictable ‘looks’ Marykutty gets, the ‘touches’ in buses, and the random hitting on, that most women and trans women face on the street. Marykutty reacts with irritation and anger, but it seems like she can never stop fighting. Ranjith, who has also scripted the film, has not turned Marykutty into the trans woman stereotype we see in cinema with exaggerated movement and expression. Marykutty walks, runs in a natural fashion; she is athletic. She also does not use a singsong tone to speak. To a lawyer (Siddhartha Siva) who is highly infatuated with her, she explains her identity, demanding that he understands it. However, Ranjith is careful not to reduce Marykutty to her gender identity alone. The film goes beyond this and does not lose sight of the character in establishing the gender politics. Marykutty is presented to us with every feeling, strength and weakness. And ambition. And what is it that Marykutty wants to do? She wishes to join the police force because it is from the police that trans people face the most harassment, she says. A good portion of the film covers her run-ins with a policeman, played by Joju George. The helplessness is all too real, especially when her family wants to distance themselves from her while all she wants to do is impress them. However, this is not a plot written to draw sympathy. Jayasurya does not exaggerate emotions. He appears to do it effortlessly, but that only shows the work that has gone in behind the camera, perhaps for months, learning, unlearning, and learning all over again. Despite the many positives in the script and execution, it needs to be said that Ranjith could have gone a step ahead and cast a transgender person in the role of Marykutty. Once upon a time, men played the roles of women characters on stage because women weren’t allowed to act. A man playing a trans woman is just as sad, especially when trans actors do not get the opportunity to play lead roles. Nevertheless, Jayasurya has definitely pulled a career best here. Ranjith has also made a wise choice in casting Jewel Mary as the friend. She’s done the small bits of conversation all too well, the everyday lines between friends flowing with ease. Joju, as always, excels in villainous roles as he does in comedy. Only Suraj Venjaramoodu, who usually pulls off his serious characters convincingly, has not quite worked as the helpful district collector. The polished talk doesn't work. The ‘aanum pennum kettavar’ (people who are neither male nor female) insult that Suraj uses seems jarring. It is fine when Joju’s character says it - he is the bad cop, after all. But when Suraj, the good collector, uses it, one feels disappointed. Quibbles apart, Njan Marykutty deserves appreciation. The film will definitely convey a lot to many unaware viewers, and perhaps even help remove the myths and prejudices about transgender people to an extent. For that, Ranjith deserves a pat. Jayasurya, two pats. Also read: Mohanlal was the only choice for 'Neerali', says director Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither Tnm nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film's producers or any other members of its cast and crew.
- 6/15/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
InterviewThe filmmaker speaks to Tnm on making 'Njan Marykutty' with Jayasurya, who plays a trans woman in the film. CrisThe trailer is short, about a minute and a half. But it conveys why Jayasurya is in a sari. It’s not the man-dressed-as-woman Mrs Doubtfire kind of a film. Not a Mayamohini. Njan Marykutty is about a woman trapped in a man’s body. “The subject has been on my mind for a couple of years now. But I have been a little wary about making a film on it, how it will be seen. Even a small mistake might bring a lot of criticism,” says director Ranjith Sankar, a week before the film’s release. The idea came to him on the sets of Pretham, when actor Pearly Maaney walked in with a few trans persons, who worked as makeup artistes. That’s the first time Ranjith met with and spoke to trans persons. He realised that he knew little about the transgender community. Ranjith held on to the idea, even as he became more aware of the community - there was a trans person on a magazine’s cover, the news of a trans woman turning heroine in a Mammootty film, and of trans people working for the Kochi metro. “Simultaneously, there were also many stories of attacks on them. I thought it was time I surpassed my fear and made this film,” Ranjith says. What finally made him take the plunge was a trip to a foreign country where, by chance, he came across quite a few trans people – his driver, tourist guide and shop owner. He saw that they were all living a life without fear of society. A world away from the society he was used to. Asked why he did not cast a trans actor in the film instead of a cis man, Ranjith says, "Not that there isn’t talent, but finding actors from the community is not easy, because we, as a society, tend to drive them away. We don’t support them. We don’t give them space. It was also very important to cast a really skilled actor for the role. It is one of the toughest characters to play. And Jayan was there from the beginning,” Ranjith says. Jayasurya has gone through a lot of preparation for the role, reveals Ranjith. He wore saris at home for days. He slept and woke up in them. He went to the extent of piercing his ears without being asked. “We also met a lot of people. It is not easy to understand another’s point of view. Just like it was difficult for me to present a woman’s point of view in Ramante Edan Thottam,” shares Ranjith. But even after all that preparation, it still wasn't easy when the shooting began. The makeup would go off when they stepped outdoors. Jaysurya had to shave three times a day, which meant doing over the makeup that many times. There’d be five or six costume changes in a day. “Going to the toilet wearing a sari was not easy. He still has body rashes from all that work, but that’s the kind of committed actor Jayasurya is," he says. Ranjith feels that the experiences of trans people make them more insightful and sensitive people. Imagine living for 20 to 25 years as a man or a woman when they feel another way, he says. “You would never be able to guess. What we consider to be a big thing may be of little value to them and vice versa. Like a letter they get in their name is big for them - it is about establishing a name and self-respect. I have tried to portray this,” Ranjith says. Also read: The women of 'Kaala': How Pa Ranjith's film breaks gender moulds in Tamil cinema...
- 6/8/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Punyalan Agarbattis, which hit the silver screen in 2013, will soon have a sequel. The film’s director Ranjith Sankar had made an announcement that the sequel is very much on cards and it will be a continuation of the first part. The movie starred Jayasurya and Nyla Usha as the lead pair.
A satirical comedy that was produced jointly by Ranjith Sankar and Jayasurya, the film was produced under the banner Dreams N Beyond. The film revolved around an entrepreneur, Joy Thakkolkaran, who aims to succeed in his Agarbattis business.
A satirical comedy that was produced jointly by Ranjith Sankar and Jayasurya, the film was produced under the banner Dreams N Beyond. The film revolved around an entrepreneur, Joy Thakkolkaran, who aims to succeed in his Agarbattis business.
- 5/25/2017
- by TNM NEWS
- The News Minute
Malayalam cinema is no stranger to the comedy horror genre, with perhaps the greatest contribution to it in the form of Fazil’s 1993 film Manichitrathazhu (“The Ornate Lock”). But the team of director Ranjith Sankar and actor Jayasurya look to add to the genre in the form of their upcoming film Pretham (“Ghost”). Sankar writes and directs, Jayasurya acts, they both produce. Theirs is a winning combination, having come together previously for the 2013 satircal social comedy Punyalan Agarbattis (“Saintly Incense Sticks”) as well as for 2015’s Su.. Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam (for which Jayasurya was awarded a Special Jury mention at the 63rd National Film Awards for his sensitive performance as the stuttering Sudhi). Malayalam films are known to feature strong supporting casts, and Pretham...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/9/2016
- Screen Anarchy
10th Indian film festival Stuttgart has announced its selection. The festival will take place from July 17 to 21 in the German city of Stuttgart.
Here is the complete list of films to be screened at the festival:-
Ashok Rane’s doucmentay Being with Apu
Blood Brothers by Steve Hoover
Dancing Colours by Stuttgart Media University students
Liv & Ingmar by Dheeraj Akolkar
Much Ado about Knotting by Geetika Narang Abbasi and Anandana Kapur
No Problem! 6 Months with the Barefoot Grandmamas by Yasmin Kidwai
Powerless by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Resonance of Mother’s Melody by Dip Bhuyan
Salma by Kim Longinotto
The Human Factor by Rudradeep Bhattacharjee
The World Before her by Nisha Pahuja
Bombay Talkies by Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar
Shahid by Hansal Mehta
Chokher Bali by Rituparno Ghosh
Bawdi – The Well by Viver Soni
Paroksh by Kuldip Patel
Thaambadhyam by Yugandhara Muthukrishnan
Umbartha by...
Here is the complete list of films to be screened at the festival:-
Ashok Rane’s doucmentay Being with Apu
Blood Brothers by Steve Hoover
Dancing Colours by Stuttgart Media University students
Liv & Ingmar by Dheeraj Akolkar
Much Ado about Knotting by Geetika Narang Abbasi and Anandana Kapur
No Problem! 6 Months with the Barefoot Grandmamas by Yasmin Kidwai
Powerless by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar
Resonance of Mother’s Melody by Dip Bhuyan
Salma by Kim Longinotto
The Human Factor by Rudradeep Bhattacharjee
The World Before her by Nisha Pahuja
Bombay Talkies by Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar and Zoya Akhtar
Shahid by Hansal Mehta
Chokher Bali by Rituparno Ghosh
Bawdi – The Well by Viver Soni
Paroksh by Kuldip Patel
Thaambadhyam by Yugandhara Muthukrishnan
Umbartha by...
- 6/19/2013
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.