Recently released Hindi feature film Kuch Sapney Apne is primarily about a gay couple and their relationship, but also about their family members and how relationships are challenging, whether queer or not.
In a bold move, writer-director duo Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta explore the evolving relationship between a transwoman and her wife. The film follows Ramesh, the protagonist’s uncle, who decides to embrace her true identity as Rama, a transwoman. This revelation throws Rama’s wife Lata and their two children into a quandary. While Rama’s elder brother, Damodar, a conservative patriarch, struggles to accept her transition, Damodar’s wife Vasudha and son Kartik show greater support.
Sridhar Rangayan, the director said, “With the Transgender Day of Visibility around the corner on March 31st, we wanted to highlight anguish of the generation of men from the 60s and 70s who were trapped into marriages against their choice, and were not able to lead their true authentic selves, due to familial and societal pressures. The character of Rama and family was inspired by a real life person who went through transformation many years after marriage and having a family. Their predicament and dilemmas were heart wrenching. We hope that future generations won’t have to face the same challenges and can live happier lives, embracing the gender identity that feels true to them.”
In a career defining role of Ramesh / Rama, actor Abhay Kulkarni who has acted in numerous feature films like Rustom, Kaminey, Sanju and Lajja; TV serials including Crime Patrol, Lakhon Mein Ek; and also web series like Scam 1992 and Murder in Mahim, feels that this role as compared to the role of Ramesh in the film’s prequel Evening Shadows is far more difficult and challenging. “We have seen many trans characters in films. There is a certain stereotypical way these characters have been portrayed till now, with exaggerated mannerisms, extra effort to portray femininity. But when I read the script, and started working in it I could see the depth in it. It’s not a usual trans character.”
Speaking about his experience of portraying Rama, Kulkarni said, “Initially my approach towards Rama was very sympathetic, a pitiful helpless character. But when I actually started the shoot, the scenes with Kartik & Lata came out very differently than what I imagined. When I was rehearsing, I used to cry a lot. In each and every sentence/ dialogue my tears used to fall. So there was a feeling of self-pity about Rama, but when I did the scenes in actual, something strange happened – Rama was not ready to cry. I, as an actor, kept pushing myself to bring up the tears, but it was just not coming. Finally I did the scene the way Rama wanted – as a woman who will not cry and get sympathy. She is a beautiful, dignified, sensible and sensitive woman who now has achieved freedom”.
Playing Ramesh/Rama’s wife Lata was also quite challenging for actress Veenah Naair, who has essayed various roles in films like Govinda Naam Mera, Do Aur Do Pyaar, Ullozhukku, Tarla, Paachavum Adhbutavilakum, and web series like Fame Game, etc. Naarir said, “Playing Lata in the film Evening Shadows and its sequel Kuch Sapney Apne gave me a lot of happiness, because she is a woman whose capacity to love her husband and accept the situations around her comes with an innate sense of devotion and sanctity. Her simplicity and unconditional love for her husband stays on in my heart with a warm smile”.
Naair also felt, “Lata’s support system is her sister-in-law Vasudha, her inspiration since she has been married. Her advice and support when she comes to a place of despair, after Ramesh goes absconding, gives her the strength to deal with the issue in a rational way. I feel the camaraderie between women, if positive in families, can be empowering. The way Vasudha accepts her son being gay it becomes an example for Lata to accept her husband as a transgender person, all in all to hold the family together come what may I think gives these women the strength to endure these challenges which is also a paradox of sorts but I believe in the strength in every person is unique and it can surprise us many times. Lata for me is that person with a silent strength and character”.
Kulkarni recounting an experience on the shoot said he was shooting on the streets in Mysore dressed as a transwoman, when a passerby brought her child and asked Kulkarni to bless the child mistaking him for a real life Hijra, “I gave blessings to the child who gave me a five rupees coin! That is the Best Award I got for Rama! I still have that coin!”
The film Kuch Sapney Apne had a theatrical release in 10 cities for a week with a good audience response and critical appreciation. The makers are now planning a wider release in theaters and also on a streaming platform.
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