Miss Trans Pakistan Shyraa Roy on debuting as a producer in 'Sanak' and her fight for representation

Shyraa Roy also known as Miss Trans Pakistan 2022 is a force to be reckoned with. From her introduction into the entertainment world as a model to her debut as a producer and actor, the starlet has carved a unique path of her own. Roy is now set to release her first psychological thriller, Sanak, in which she also essays the lead role.

Speaking with The Express Tribune, Roy revealed that establishing her acting career in Pakistan as a transwoman was quite difficult, huddled with challenges, threats and trauma.

"For a trans woman, it's easier to become a model than an actor or producer, especially if she has a feminine figure, however, the film industry is a completely different ballgame. When I started to produce films, I struggled to find sponsors and often relied on my own money. Honestly, it wasn't an easy job as everyone in the industry is hell-bent on pushing you down," shared Roy.

She highlighted how with every new step in her career, life became much tougher. "Men couldn't digest that a woman, a transwoman was trying to become a producer! I still remember standing in queues for hours, with so many rejected presentations; modelling was much simpler as I was only required to pose for the camera."

The Aks actor also discussed her struggle to get roles in Pakistani films and dramas. She expressed, "When I started my role as a mainstream artist, I always used to be asked about my gender. The casting directors often questioned, 'Should we give you the role of a man or woman?' And I answered a woman, of course but unfortunately, they never quite understood this concept." Roy would then state a rather hard-to-digest but true parallel, "If Sushmita Sen can play a transwoman's character, then why can't we play a woman in films?"

Sanak: a psychological thriller

Speaking about the plot, Roy said, "The film is about a fanatic named Zafar Minhas who would do anything to acquire his love's attention, who is a popular actor called Samaira Khan. Although he's one amongst millions of fans, what makes him special is his fixation on the star which drives him to do anything to have her, even kill people."

Directed by Hassan Fareed and written by Indian director Vikram Bhatt, the film aims to make people look beyond the murderer's gruesome crimes and understand his complex personality instead. Amongst many, Sanak stars Muneeb Ali, Murad Kazmi, Resham, Javed Sheikh and Beenish George in pivotal roles.

Roy also believes that the lack of good thriller films in Pakistan is what makes Sanak more valuable. "Pakistani directors are quite unintelligent," she began. "They think romcoms are the only genre that generates views here and I disagree with that. Everything is not about romance or adding Punjabi to make it 'funny'. We should have more diversity in our cinema, like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani or Gangubai Kathiawadi."

Trans representation on big screens

Roy also talked about Saim Sadiq's directorial Joyland and its impact on Pakistan's film industry. "I think seeing transgenders on the big screen has shocked people here. They used to see us as beggars or dancers at weddings and as beings with no respect but now seeing us in movies has them frenzied. This includes everyone, even actors who are now insecure after seeing transwomen get roles and religious scholars who are speaking against this," she noted. "I do understand that everyone has their own views but they should come to terms with the idea of trans people now, if not, they can just buzz off. Do people really think we care for acceptance in society? Our own parents don't even acknowledge us, so it's not a big deal for us."

Moving on, Roy also mentioned how true cinema-goers will continue to watch anything on the big screen if the plot is good. "I feel like even having transgenders in films draws a massive hype, like Joyland," she added.

The fight continues

Before concluding the conversation, Roy shared how she will continue to fight for representation on television. "The opportunities for transwomen in Pakistan are limited, either you can become a producer, rub shoulders with someone or find an investor. The other way is to rely on luck which works only on a blue moon as it did with Joyland's leading actor, Alina Khan. I feel like being trans will remain taboo here and won't change. Yes, in Hollywood, we can go and work, but in Pakistan, there is no room for alterations."

Roy then added how people "don't want to see a transwoman becoming the boss of everyone" but as long as her brother, Bhatt, and team are standing by her, she will never back down, no matter what comes ahead.

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