: Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, this was one of the first mainstream films to offer a positive light. Paresh Rawal played Tikku, a trans woman who rescues and raises an abandoned female infant.
Trans women were often played by cisgender male actors cross-dressing for cheap laughs, perpetuating the idea that trans identities were merely a costume or a joke. Indian Shemailes Movies
In recent years, the conversation has expanded to include a wider range of gender identities and the intersections of class, family, and romance. Critics from BFI note that landmark rulings, such as the 2018 decriminalization of homosexuality, have opened doors for more authentic storytelling. : Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, this was one