Video on a transwoman’s journey to motherhood

It was a dream-come-true for Ayurveda doctor Dr Shani Hafees to direct a Tamil music video that talks about the struggles faced by a transwoman while raising a foster daughter. The 6.5 minute Tamil video titled Marupiranthaal (Her Rebirth) portrays the various shades of a woman's life. Apart from directing the video, Shani has also sung the song with her daughter Reyah Fatima Hafees. The video is co-directed by Adarsh Krishna and will be released through Yuvan's U1 Records YouTube channel by this month-end.

“I wanted to do a video that showcases the bond between a mother and a daughter. But I wished to do something different. A normal woman faces so many challenges while raising a kid. So, imagine the issues faced by a transgender person. That’s why I brought the angle of a transwoman raising a child despite social pressure,”says Shani sitting at a cafe in Royapettah.

A classically trained singer, Shani always wanted to sing a song with her daughter. The video was sent to 13 film festivals and it was officially selected for all. “The video that was shot in Tenkasi and a few parts in Kerala has portrayed various scenarios in our society. Marupiranthaal urges every female for a revamp both emotionally and physically. A woman is not the one who has to change, instead, the society wants to be more civilised to change their patriarchal attitudes that pounce upon her mind and body. Moreover, the video suggests the importance of empowering a transwoman and how society can support her when raising a foster kid,” she says about the video.

Transgender celebrity make-up artist Renju Renjimaar plays the lead role along with Rose Sherin Ansari. Marupiranthaal means ‘her rebirth’ and the makers used the title because the characters have an emotional rebirth after facing a lot of struggles.

“It was a great experience working with Renju and she has portrayed the lead character brilliantly. While writing the script, I didn’t have any person in my mind, who could play the role of the mother.

It was National Award winner Surabhi Lakshmi, who suggested Renju’s name. Well, I couldn’t ask for a better cast for my debut directorial,” Shani explains with a smile. The lyrics is by Shani’s friend Ruxeena Musthafa and the music is by Yeldho John. Previously, Dr Shani has co-produced and sung a song in an album titled Pennaal series that depicts five stages of a woman's life.