It is a time of flux right now in our society – genders and sexualities are claiming their spaces in ways they never could before. Gender fluidity is something that many are asserting today; something that society didn’t let them express and still doesn't. There is however the perception that understanding and support for alternative sexualities, Trans people or gender fluidity is superficial. Many that express support, are merely virtue-signalling. Ayushmann Khurrana came in for some criticism when he appeared in pictures, sporting nail paint and visible makeup. This coincides with promos for Khurrana’s film Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui which is due to release in theatres on 10th December (scroll down for trailer).
This tweet from GQ India while declaring their men of the year awards, named Ayushmann Khurrana as a game-changer and someone willing to challenge the status quo.
The image was shared on the actor’s Instagram handle with the caption ‘Gender Fluid’ with a heart emoji.
This seemed like virtue signalling to some – where a star taps into whatever issue that seems trendy at the time. Much of the time, people climb on a bandwagon for no reason other than the promotion of a film.
This Twitter user points out that gender fluidity is about more than cosmetic-use and that change isn't that easy to bring about.
Some of the tweeple made the observation that a lot of men who claim to break ‘gender norms’ are doing nothing but paying lip service to an issue they see as trendy. They rarely oppose those norms in ways that cause themselves inconvenience, hardship or discomfort.
Some were annoyed that people try to profit off the Trans community for their own benefit. Others were annoyed at the superficial understanding of gender fluidity and the assumption that this is all just about a certain aesthetic.
This tweet points out the fact that Khurrana's latest movie, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is based on an unusual romance; between a cis-het man and a transwoman. If the movie is based on a sensitive subject such trans individuals, why not cast a transperson as a transperson?
There is the desire to appear progressive and enlightened in Bollywood. However, the understanding of complex issues is often inadequate and research is poor. Filmmakers who push the envelope will only dare to go so far and no further. They are unwilling to take a commercial risk such as casting an authentic but unknown actor as the script may require. For instance, they will not cast older women to play older women, a bald man to play a bald man or a gay man to play a gay man.
This is a romantic ‘drama with a difference’. Ayushmann Khurrana as Manvinder Munjal aka Manu is a typically buff, macho dude, who is also clearly transphobic. Alas for him, his love interest Maanvi Brar (Vaani Kapoor) is a transwoman. Yes, they should have cast a trans person for the role, but the fact is that no mainstream film has even touched on this subject until now. If mainstream Bollywood makes a film about trans people this does help dispel ignorance and misconceptions and helps start conversations. To that extent, this is helpful – and Khurrana once again shows his willingness to work with unconventional topics – even if his social media captions could do with some improvement.
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