The scene is of a moving bus where a little boy in a brightly coloured t-shirt is generously and deliberately spilling water over his stuffed mermaid. The same fate is in store for the basket of dead fish resting in the lap of a fisher-woman in the vehicle. The subtle act, though capable of incurring grave trouble for the unsuspecting child, is sufficient to establish his innocent kindness and warmth.
The film takes its time coming into its own, gradually revealing pivotal details that would enable it to weave the narrative together into a well-balanced whole. Soon the tone and ambience changes to a darker, more grim one, making the viewer realise that something is deeply amiss in the fictive space of the film. It is by employing this unease that Chudail, titled ironically and loaded with a very pertinent message, puts forth its aim before the viewer. Further, it leaves them with a strong reminder of a deeply problematic aspect of our society - one about the location and marginalisation of the transgender identity.
Read LessThe film takes its time coming into its own, gradually revealing pivotal details that would enable it to weave the narrative together into a well-balanced whole. Soon the tone and ambience changes to a darker, more grim one, making the viewer realise that something is deeply amiss in the fictive space of the film. It is by employing this unease that Chudail, titled ironically and loaded with a very pertinent message, puts forth its aim before the viewer. Further, it leaves them with a strong reminder of a deeply problematic aspect of our society - one about the location and marginalisation of the transgender identity.
