Aunt Shabnam. I watched this amazing movie for the first time. I recorded it for myself a year ago, after watching the film "Tamanna" with Puja Bhatt in the main role, the heroine of which was brought up by the Hijra. Once upon a time I read about these people, who live mainly in India, but knew very little about them. Only that they are women in a male body.
In Hinduism, they believe in reincarnation after death, and the Hijra, the “third sex” is a mistaken reincarnation of two souls who choose to choose one body. Physically they are men, and mostly have a male body, being born boys, only with atrophied and unfit for procreation, a male organ. The upper part of their body has female characteristics, in particular, female breasts (of any size), and some hijras even have increased vegetation on the body (male trait), from which they carefully get rid of. They always dress in women’s clothes and consider themselves women, all have female names, and many of them dream of being full-fledged women in order to get married and become a mother. But physically, that dream will never come true. Among the Hijra there are also transsexuals or hermaphrodites. Many Hijra worship the goddess Bahuchara Mata, one of the many forms of the mother goddess.
Hijras are settled in separate communities. Their fate is unenviable: being a marginal stratum of society, they are not hired, they cannot study, because they are not allowed anywhere (even in temples, and they have to pray near the entrance to the temple), although they are not guilty that they were born this way, it is all the will of the Supreme, if such people exist on Earth, it means that for something it is necessary, not just because the Lord created them this way. Income they earn from Hindu weddings, and ritual celebrations about the birth of a boy (!) in families, bless him for a long and happy life. They are also forced into prostitution and begging.
This film is a real story of fantastic success, which was achieved by a representative of the lower eunuch class in India. Shabnam Mausi (Auntie Shabnam), the main character of the film, is born Hijra in Mumbai. The parents invite the Hijra to perform the ceremony, and those who see that the child is from their caste, take him to their community, which becomes her family. She is given the name Shabnam, and one of these people becomes her mother. It would seem that the fate of this girl is also not enviable, like all members of this community, Shabu can not even go to school normally, because everyone teases her as a eunuch and endlessly poisons her. Then her named mother makes every effort to give her daughter a home education. Shabnam is diligently studying and is constantly engaged in the study of different languages. As a result, she is free to speak 14 languages.
As a result of some events, the matured Shabnam was forced to leave the clan. She takes refuge in Madhya Pradesh, where she meets local politicians. As a result of numerous trials, as well as due to his perseverance and determination, Shabnam wins his first political victory in the elections. Shabnam Mausi is the first member of the Madhya Pradesh State Parliament from the Hijra, a highly educated person.
I saw a documentary about the social status and life of Indian eunuchs. What to say, they are considered outcasts of society. So, how much it takes to be an extraordinary person with a strong character to make such a leap up and go into politics! For this low bow and respect for this woman.
Ashutosh Rana is a great actor, it is a pity that there are so few solo films with him. And the roles of such strong and positive are very few for him, mainly he is a specialist in villains, maniacs, psychopaths and other personalities with criminal inclinations. A pity, Ashutosh-ji is really a very underrated and very talented actor with great potential. Now I went into politics (symbolic?), so now little is removed. The role Shabnam performed at the highest level, looked chic in women's clothes and with makeup on his face.
This is a great movie, very inspiring. But you can't relax under it. I watched and so empathized with the main character that sometimes I even cried and threw my fists up. Especially difficult moment when the adoptive mother dies Shabnam, right on her arms. Here it is simply impossible to hold back tears, so sincerely sobbed and herself Shabnam. And this bastard in a police uniform, who beat her with a stick in the cell, just a freak, and I wanted to crack his head against the wall, so nasty type.
After watching this film, I learned that the caste of eunuchs is considered one of the lowest in India. However, they are credited with magical power. And almost no family can do without not inviting them to a wedding, the birth of a child, childless people come to ask them for mercy. They ask for blessings and fear their curse, for it is considered one of the worst.
The Hijras are different . There are those who are like the hero/heroine of the film from birth, and there are those who with age realize that they are not like this and come to the clan themselves. Sex reassignment surgery is banned in India. Therefore, clandestine operations are practiced. But this is done in a terrible and cruel way - the organs are simply cut off with one blow and the wound is not healed, causing it to bleed for a long time. It is believed that with the blood comes all male.
My verdict for the film is to watch it, if only to imagine that India is not only a country of melodramas and colorful action films. Well, besides, you will learn a lot from the life of other castes. This film is a kind of look from the inside, maybe a little embellished. In general, people know little about the culture and caste of eunuchs, even many Indians, not to mention residents of other countries. And for many it is a discovery that there is a whole layer of these people in India.
The film was made very well. There are dances and songs in it, but above all there is the history of man. And a story with a capital letter . Sometimes it is cheerful and light, and sometimes scary and dark. I don’t know how to explain it – you have to watch a movie to understand it. For example, I watched it without turning away from the screen, and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.
10 out of 10