|
Starring:
Seema Biswas, Vineeth, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Raj
Zutshi and Archana Gupta
Director:
David Atkins
Queens is a story about the controversial and mysterious
lives of Hijras (eunuchs). Set in a royal backdrop of a
palatial house in Rajasthan, probably one of the few
cities where the hijras live in luxury. The royal hijras
were respected and well accepted as they used to serve
the Indian imperials since the golden ages.
This bold film takes a peek at the lesser-known lives of
the third gender, so called as ‘Hijras’ (trans-genders)
in a dignified manner, while being realistic and honest
to the facts. Actually, there are some real-life Hijras
in pivotal roles, thankfully not in any negative or
comic roles. Such films come once in a while.
What is the newcomer Nandini’s background? What is the
reason for Amma to be unfair to Mukta? And what does
Amma know about Nandini? This is what the rest is all
about.
Vineeth is fine however a bit loud at several instances.
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and Raj Zutshi and Archana Gupta
are apt in their roles. Seema Biswas who portrayed the
fearless Phoolan Devi in Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen is
probably the first Indian actress to play a transsexual
in Bollywood cinema.
In our daily life, we are indifferent to the Hijras,
when we see them, usually even avoid them and honestly,
most of us are scared of them. Our films usually depict
them in a negative role or in comical sequences. When
will we get our recognition asks Laxmi the famous
celebrity?
Credits
& Crew:
Banner: Miraj Entertainment Ltd., View Motion
Pictures Pvt. Ltd, Mirchi Movies Limited
Producer: Vipul V. Bangera
Director: David Atkins
Story: David Atkins
Executive Producer - Sonal Deshpande
Music Director - Anurag Ware
Lyrics: Asif Ali Beg, Maya Govind, Nida Fazli, Yogesh
Gaur, MP Anamika
Editor - Chaitanya Tanna
Costume Design - Vidya Krishanater
|
The story is told through the eyes of a young hijra called
Mukta (played by Vineet) who is the best dancer in their
community and a natural leader whom all the other girls
look up to. Guru Amma (Seema Biswas) heads a community of
hijras with love and severity in equal measure, among whom
Mukta is the apple of her eye, who almost worships her.
It happens that one day a beautiful young girl Nandini (Archana
Gupta) shows up mysteriously, and Guru Amma takes a sudden
liking to her. Soon the new entrant becomes the centre of
attraction within the community, and Mukta gets jealous of
her, realizing that Guru Amma too is now sidelining her.
Mukta leaves the community, and eventually has to come
back as there is no other option. This time Mukta behaves
sweetly with Amma and Nandini but has some thing else in
her mind.
The character played by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is inspired
by Manvendra Singh Gohil, who belongs to the royal family
of Rajpipla. What’s more is that Queens has opulent sets,
rich production values and ably supported by excellent
performances by Vineeth and Seema Biswas too.
Hopefully our outlook towards this third gender could
change and more so in Bollywood films which could think of
some sensible and significant roles for them rather than
treating them like invisibles.
Queens gives viewers an insight into the lives of the
neglected transgenders, so that people may develop a
better understanding towards the third gender of the
society. A film recommended only for those who want to
know more about the neglected section of the society.
- Amar Jeet
Cast:
Seema Biswas
Archana Gupta
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
Vineet
Raj Zutshi
Uvika Chaudhary
Hema Malini |
