Vaani Kapoor Talks About Playing A Trans-Woman: I Hope In The Future A Trans Girl Can Play A Cis Girl’s Part
A while back I gave my 5 thoughts about the trailer of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and I criticised the movie for being tone-deaf in nature. I also talked about the lead actress, Vaani Kapoor playing a trans-woman in the movie. My main issue was that a cis-gendered woman was playing a role that could have been given to a genuine trans-woman actor. However, my opinions were based solely on the trailer and I might have been too harsh. While I still believe that the role could have been given to a trans actor, I now think that for a country that has a long way to go in LGBTQ+ acceptance, this is still a small step in the right direction to accepting people from the community. In a recent interview, Vaani Kapoor opened up about her experience playing a trans-woman character and her opinion on her portraying one.
In an exclusive interview conducted by Sonil Dedhia, Vaani Kapoor talked about how she decided to take the role of Maanvi Brar, a trans-woman in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. When asked if she was worried about losing her male fans for playing a transwoman, Vaani said that she was willing to take up the role as she knew that this is a tricky topic that needs to be spoken about and brought to light. She said that she had a lot of faith in her team. She said that she knew that an Abhishek Kapoor film would be treated and presented well and that Ayushmann Khurrana is known for taking up movies with themes about topics that are hard to talk about.
She was later asked in the interview if she ever had second thoughts about playing a trans character. Vaani Kapoor said, “No, not at all. I am an actor and if I start judging every part then I am doomed. If I don’t stand up for something that I feel needs to be addressed then I shouldn’t be an actor.” (Preach!) Vaani said that even if 10 people are able to feel differently after watching the movie, it would be an achievement. She believes that Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is a great attempt to start talking about the subject.
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She was also asked how she got into the character of a trans-woman. Vaani Kapoor acknowledged that she hasn’t walked a mile in a trans person’s shoes. However, she did whatever she could to prepare for the role. She talked to multiple trans-women and tried to understand similar experiences they must have had. She also watched a lot of interviews from the 1990s and 2000s. “I saw how the interviewer is asking them in a tone with a kind of insinuation, with a little judgment and hesitance..” she added, “I wanted to wash away the memory of a man dressed in a sari and being the only reference point in the head of our audiences of a trans person.”
Vaani Kapoor was then asked if anything about this role scared her. She said she was concerned that the character would not be accepted but has been pleasantly surprised by how much acceptance Maanvi has gotten from the audience and the trans community alike. She met with the originator of the story, Simran Sahni. Simran herself has two trans daughters. However, her biggest compliment was from the girls’ daughter who was concerned that a cis-gendered woman would not do justice to the role. However, he was teary-eyed when he watched the movie. (I am getting teary-eyed just writing this!). Vaani even received praise from designer Saisha Shinde who had a similar journey to Maanvi.
Also Read: 5 Times ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ Girl Vaani Kapoor Rekindled The Love For Evening Gowns
Lastly, Vaani Kapoor was asked for all the criticism the makers got for not casting a trans-woman for the role of Maanvi Brar. Vaani says that this is just a baby step to include more trans characters in mainstream media. She says director Abhishek Kapoor made this movie for all sorts of people with the intention of at least starting the necessary conversation. Vaani Kapoor then says, “I hope in the future a trans girl can play a cis girl’s part. I hope there are more storylines about trans people with a different narrative and we can make more films with them and they can play cis girls’ part. Why should we restrain them and make them do only trans parts?”
While I had my concerns about a cis-gendered woman playing the role of a trans person, the praise Vaani Kapoor has gotten along with the effort she put into preparing for the role makes me feel better about it. And yes, I do hope that someday we break those barriers and trans people are able to play cis characters too!
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