Odia filmmaker Jitesh Parida talks about the trials and ordeals of transgender people and his upcoming movie inspired by the real-life story of India’s first transgender cab driver
Odia filmmaker Jitesh Parida
Odia filmmaker Jitesh Parida’s upcoming movie T is loosely based on the life of Meghna Sahoo, who was the first transgender cab driver in the country. T showcases Sahoo’s life journey and her struggles.
The film was earlier shown at the 75th Cannes Film Festival and India International Film Festival of Boston and received critical acclaim and awards. The movie will be commercially released May 25, 2023.
On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Down To Earth talks to Parida about the trials and ordeals of transgender people portrayed in his movie.
Nandita Banerji: In your upcoming movie, T, you tell the story of Meghna Sahoo, the first transgender cab driver in the country. What compelled you to tell her story?
Jitesh Parida: I made the movie for the whole transgender community. Though people always aspire for the blessings of transgender people for fulfilling their material interests, they don’t respect transgender people as human beings, ironically.
Transgender people suffer in their families, schools, peer groups and the society of this so-called civilised world without any valid reasons.
The real-life story of Meghna gave me an impetus to portray the real-life stories, struggles and victories of transgender people on the screen. People who are going to watch the movie can understand the agonising ordeals faced by the community, feel their pain and become more sensitive towards them.
NB: The movie was critically acclaimed at the 75th Cannes Film Festival and India International Film Festival of Boston. T is now being commercially released. How do you think the Indian audience will receive it?
JP: The movie T was critically acclaimed and awarded in international film festivals before its release in theatres. The movie’s teaser was also accepted and praised by the audience, with many likes and views after its release.
The trailer was also released recently and started gaining global attention. So, I have faith that the audience will come to watch the movie in theatres and won’t be disappointed.
NB: Transgender success stories are increasingly visible today, from lawyers, judges to doctors and more. But social exclusion drives many transgender people into begging and sex work. Did you engage with any transgender sex workers for research? Did their stories change any misconceptions you had?
JP: As I already mentioned, transgender people face discrimination and are disrespected and punished without any valid reason. They don’t get jobs because of their identity and are compelled to beg and do sex work for their livelihood.
I met several people from the transgender community who had to partake in the heinous trade of sex work in certain phases of their life to survive.
NB: How do you perceive regional nuances concerning transgender people in different parts of the country?
JP: Transgender people are discriminated against and suffer everywhere. As a filmmaker, I don’t find any nuances of transgender people at regional, national and global levels.
NB: May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. What is the root cause of bigotry and fear of diverse gender and sexual identities in India?
JP: As a filmmaker, I portrayed actual incidents from real people’s lives in my movie. T is purely a commercial film. I have not gone through the sociological aspect and terminologies while doing research.
NB: We have seen some changes in the laws over the last few years, like the decriminalisation of Article 377 in the IPC and the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. How much further is the road to legal equity for the LGBTQIA community?
JP: I only emphasised real-life incidents as a filmmaker. That’s all. My movie doesn’t opine for and against legal terms and discourse.
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