| Gulabi Aaina The Pink Mirror | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Sridhar Rangayan |
| Written by | Sridhar Rangayan |
| Produced by | Saagar Gupta |
| Starring | Edwin Fernandes Ramesh Menon Deepak Sonavane Rufy Baqal Rishi Raj |
| Distributed by | Solaris Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 40 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
The Pink Mirror, titled Gulabi Aaina in India, is an Indian film drama produced and directed by Sridhar Rangayan. It is said to be the first Indian film to comprehensively focus on Indian transsexuals with the entire story revolving around two transsexuals and a gay teenager's attempts to seduce a man, Samir (Rufy Baqal). The film explores the taboo subject of transsexuals in India which is still much misunderstood and ridiculed.[1]
In 2003, the Central Board of Film Certification banned this film. The censor board cited that the film was 'vulgar and offensive'. The filmmaker appealed twice again unsuccessfully. The film still remains banned in India, but was screened at numerous festivals all over the world and won awards. The critics have applauded it for its sensitive and touching portrayal of marginalized communities.[2][3][4]
India's foremost gay activist Ashok Row Kavi says in his review, "The wonder is that it was not made before. The reality is that it is here now." India's leading newspaper, The Indian Express, wrote, "This is more than just the 'peeping into the closet' that Rangayan intended. It's almost throwing the doors wide open for the world to look in!"
The film has received tremendous support and critical acclaim from reviewers, festival directors and global audiences. It was screened at more than 70 international film festivals and won a couple of awards. The film is also used as part of university archives and libraries as resource material in academic courses.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "BBC Review". Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
- ^ "YIDFF: Publications: DocBox: #22". www.yidff.jp.
- ^ "Queer India: Banned, banned and banned again!". 19 May 2006.