Transgender lambasts ''A'' certificate to film on life

Coimbatore, Jan 12 (PTI) A transgender who has donned thegreasepaint to do a film on her community today expressedshock over the Censor Board giving the movie an ''A''certificate.

"The film ''Narthagi'' tentatively scheduled to be releasedon February 14 has no obscene scenes or dialogues whichprevent children from viewing it. It is the first attempt toportray the lives of transgenders by a woman director,Vijayapadma," Kalki told reporters here.

Kalki said that though Censor Board members are drawnfrom various walks of life, they had shown their "ignoranceand total lack of understanding on transgenders'' issues" bygiving the film an ''A'' certificate.

Indian films, be it in any language, including thosewhich have well-known actors, make a mockery of transgendersand paint a wrong picture by depicting them as beggars,extortionists or sexual workers, she said and demanded to knowhow such films could be given U or UA certificate.

"For that matter other films with vulgarity, rape andstunt scenes are passed without cuts, which have an impact onchildren," she said.

On the storyline, Kalki said it is of a boy with femaleurges since childhood, who wants to learn dance and become adanseuse and even falls in love with a boy. He goes to acity hospital, changes his sex and fulfils his dream bybecoming a famous dancer.

Famous actor Girish Karnad and Suzanne are also among thecast, she said.

Kalki said a French film director had made her an offer,where she would play the role of a supernatural being. Shealso has been offered a Malayalam film.

Though she did not want to become a commercial actor shewould continue acting if she received good offers and roles,Kalki said, adding that the money would be used for the causeof the development of her community.