You are so made aware of the universality  of the subject matter of “India’s 1st best Trans Model Agency ‘right from the opening credits when you read the documentary has been financed from three difference sources …. one in Wales and one in Norway plus The British Council.

This intriguing look into India’s Hijras. (third gender)  as a community  of ‘holy hermaphrodites’ is the debut feature of Indian/British filmmaker Ila Mehrotra that took over 7 years to make.  It shows us another  interpretation of transgender and non-binary at a moment in time when that community is facing particularly  political  pressure which is attempting to change public acceptance.  In India, thanks to Hindu Scriptures , Hijras have legal and cultural recognition  but as Mehrota’s film shows, it still doesn’t have real public acceptance.

In recent time the Hijra communities have grown to absorb trans and gender fluid people, particularly those from lower castes and under-educated social groups..  However as nearly all of them cannot get employment, they resort to doing sex work which brings its own set of physical risks.  Or they beg in the streets for the promise of a blessing …. which is considered to be lucky by many.

Some like Rudrani refuse to accept the status quo and they plan to form their own Model Agency to give them legitimate work, and hopefully the admiration of others.  The Launch attracts a geat deal of media attention which sadly turns out to be a flash -in-the-pan and no bookings for modeling at all.

It seems that their goal is to offer the models a better way to earn a living and also create a safe space for the trans community in mainstream Indian society is a total non starter.  Especially when the current right wing Indian Government implements policies that place medical gender identification over self-identification and has reduced sentences for assaults made on transgender people.

The movie climaxes with the Model Agency mounting their own Catwalk Show  which they celebrate as a very successful event.  It brings the girls closer together even though the world outside doesn’t move one inch.

 

 

 

ROGER WALKER-DACK Creator, Editor-in-Chief Miami Beach, FL / Provincetown, MA IG @QUEERGURU  Member of G.A.L.E.C.A. (Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association)  and NLGJA The Association of LGBT Journalists.  and The Online Film Critics Society. Ex Contributing Editor The Gay Uk & Contributor Edge Media Former CEO and Menswear Designer of  Roger Dack Ltd in the UK