In a city that isn't really known for sensitivity towards the transgender community, the theatrical release of a film about eunuchs and their lives is the only royalty that's the talk of the town. The cast of Queens! Destiny of Dance tell you about how they get their sari pleats perfect, and connect emotionally with the characters they play
In a city that isn't really known for sensitivity towards the transgender community, the theatrical release of a film about eunuchs and their lives is the only royalty that's the talk of the town. The cast of Queens! Destiny of Dance tell you about how they get their sari pleats perfect, and connect emotionally with the characters they play
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Vineeth R (centre) plays Mukta in David Atkins' Queens:
The Destiny of Dance
Unique, it certainly is. Featuring firebrand actor Seema Biswas and eunuch Laxmi Narayan Tripathi in pivotal roles, Queens... is the first feature film to focus entirely on the eunuch community -- without caricaturing them.
Tripathi, who goes by the name Laxmi, says she had vaguely discussed the idea of a film with Atkins when they had met while she was acting in serials a few years ago. "When he came back to me with a definite idea, I decided to be part of the film," she recalls. Today, she says she is happy with the product. "It's the first film to depict Hijras in a dignified manner. The movie was a great opportunity to showcase the real face of the community and its rich culture and heritage," she says.
Something that Vineeth, who plays Mukta, a dignified eunuch and the favourite of her community in the film, agrees with. "At one level, it is a glorified fantasy. On another, it is an emotional drama that portrays the Hijras in a light that you haven't seen before -- as artists and dancers with grace and dignity."
It is the humanism with which the Hijra community is treated that makes this film different. As an example, Vineeth cites a scene that unfolds at a police station, where the eunuchs have arrived after being denied permission to travel abroad to participate in a dance festival. "One of them walks up to the inspector and asks her to touch his hand. She then goes on to say they too were born to a set of parents, and didn't land here from some dirty planet. Little messages like these make the film socially relevant."
But it's not all serious stuff. Since a majority of Queens... focuses on the Hijras as performers, there is serious song and dance, which, as Laxmi puts it, "is fun." "It's a family movie and has a lot of culture and tradition, and showcases a bright, cheerful side to the Hijras who stay together as a close-knit family. Add song, dance, music and mystery to the mix, and it should keep viewers glued!" she laughs.
And it seems like the cast got along famously off screen too. "My biggest challenge was to execute the role of a refined woman with grace, without looking repulsive as a man dressed in woman's clothes," says Vineeth. In this respect, it was Laxmi and her troupe who helped him out. "They would check on my make-up, ensure that my saree was draped perfectly and teach me how to carry a dupatta with feminine grace, Their sense of dressing and warmth is amazing," he gushes.
For Laxmi it was exciting to work with a two-time National Award winner like Seema Biswas and veteran South Indian actor Vineeth. "And since I just had to play myself, I had a ball!"
Queens! Destiny of Dance is playing in theatresp
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