In hindsight, South Indian films have also been guilty of misrepresentation. While South Indian cinema is taking bigger leaps when it comes to queer stories, there are still nagging issues. “But comedy, as a cinematic tool, needs a recheck in Indian cinema, especially when it involves LGBTQ+ characters,” says Moulee, co-founder of Queer Chennai Chronicles, a literary forum and independent publishing house.
One may argue that Bollywood is attempting to do better and undo years of misguided depiction in films such as Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) and Dostana (2008) with films like Kapoor & Sons (2016), Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020) and Badhaai Do (2022), and series like Modern Love Mumbai. Using queer characters as a comic relief has been another problematic trend prevalent across film industries. A still from 2018 Malayalam film Njan Marykutty | YouTube Tamil horror-comedy Kanchana (2011) and the Malayalam Njan Marykutty (2018) had a similar casting issue. But having a cis-male actor play the role of a transgender woman does little to nothing to address the issue of representation and inclusivity. If seen in isolation, Super Deluxe is fine cinematic art. Films are still guilty of portraying flamboyant over-the-top characters, tired tropes and unrealistic plot lines that play to the gallery. However, it is not enough, say critics and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The scene speaks volumes when viewed in the context of normalising LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream cinema. And compared to Bollywood’s brash, tone-deaf and stereotypical offerings, the South Indian film industry is producing more nuanced queer films. Visibly shocked, the boy asks, “Why can’t dads look like moms?” A still from 2019 Tamil film Super Deluxe | YouTube/Netflix India Why are you laughing? Have I ever laughed at your dad?” One of the boys emphasises that his father “looks like a dad” while Rasukutty’s father “looks like a mom”. “That’s your dad? Why is he wearing a sari?” To which, he replies, “That’s his style, dude. In the 2019 Tamil film Super Deluxe, Rasukutty’s friends mock his transwoman father, Shilpa.