Pakistani transgender Rimal Ali wants to break stereotypes

Model turned actor can be seen in '7 Din Mohabbat In' along with Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar and many others

Pakistani transgender model Rimal Ali was recently seen in one the latest Eid releases 7 Din Mohabbat In (7DMI). The film stars big guns from the industry such as Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar and Javed Sheikh amongst many others in pivotal roles.

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Being a skilled dancer and a prominent figure in Pakistan's transgender community, Ali first featured in a 2017 music video of the local band, Soch. In 7DMI, Ali is seen performing an item number called Saudai Saiyan.


Speaking to a leading English publication Variety, about her role in 7DMI, Ali said, "The first thing I wanted to be sure of when the role was offered to me was whether it makes a mockery of our community, which happens often in Bollywood and Lollywood films."

She continued that she was thrilled at how wonderfully the story featured a transgender character. "Directors of the film, Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi made sure to not victimise the character either, which is another trap that films often fall into," added Ali.

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Gaur stated that 7DMI portrays a message that being a man or a woman, or both, does not matter. She explained, "The fact that 7DMI is releasing in the same year that Pakistan passed the landmark Transgender Persons Act - which gives the right to every person to self-identify - makes having Ali in our film extra special."

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After years of being subjected to discrimination and criticised, Pakistan's transgender community is slowly making its way to mainstream media. Earlier this year, Marvia Malik became the first transgender TV anchor. Zara Changezi, a transgender activist is also set to star in a short film called Denial.

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A film titled Shanakht is due to release in the next few months. It will not only highlight the issues transgenders face in society but also features some transgenders taking lead roles. Gaur and Nabi's mext venture, Barzakh: Between Heaven and Hell also centers a transgender protagonist.

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