Movie :

Hijras are the outcastes of Indian society and live on its fringes. These eunuchs (originally only castrated males) were once employed by sultans and maharajas to guard the women in their harems. Now shunned by society, they are treated with less respect than the Dalits, or untouchables. Considered neither men nor women, Hijras have no constitutional rights. Currently, there is an ongoing debate in India regarding whether or not they should be granted the status of a third gender.

Most hijras are genetically born as men, but believe they are women within. The rest are hermaphrodites with some abnormality in genitalia. For those born men, becoming a hijra is a painful process that involves removing the entire genitalia in a secret ceremony that is often undergone without any anesthetic.
Currently, most hijras have only three ways in which they can make a living: prostitution, begging, and as performing shamans removing bad luck and/or spells from suspicious Indian households. Sex work is one of the only options for hijras because there are few employment opportunities available to them. Hijras are most commonly seen knocking on car windows, begging for money at stoplights. Although hijras are feared for their dissimilarities, they are also revered for their alleged mystical abilities. Most Indian families seek their blessings during any auspicious ceremony such as a birth, a wedding, or the building of a new house.

As pariahs of society, they are subjected to prejudice that is often translated into verbal abuse, humiliation, extreme discrimination, and violence in public as well as private venues. I have documented a short film to create awareness of the plight of this segment of society and allow their voices to be heard. I was privileged to share this community’s inner life and have tried to capture its stark reality as a friend rather than a voyeur. The filming took place from June 2008 to September 2008 in various cities and locations in India.

Accompanying Director :

DEVIKA URVASHI BHISE
Devika made this film at age seventeen when she was a student at the Brearley school, a private all-girl school in Manhattan. The film was originally intended to be her high school senior project, and with the support of her school, was viewed at several other venues. Over the past thirteen years, she has been training as a Bharatanatyam dancer and Hindustani classical vocalist under eminent teachers. Her exposure to acting in western theatre and musicals, short films such as Anamika (produced by NYFA), and the Accidental Husband directed by Griffin Dunne instigated her fascination with film and film making. She is currently a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. Hijras: The Third Gender was selected in the Fall of 2007 for the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival in both New York and Los Angeles and won the award for Best Social Documentary within the festival. Devika is also the recipient of the prestigious Hodson Trust award, given by Johns Hopkins University to students who exhibit qualities of leadership, academic excellence, and community service. She will be attending Johns Hopkins University as a freshman this fall. She hopes to create support for the hijras in India and to share their lives in an educational environment.