Nawazuddin's 'Haddi' onboards 300 transgenders for accurate representation

Showrunners describe the process as 'adventurous'

Renowned actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is set to star in the upcoming film Haddi, which aims to provide accurate representation of transgender individuals on screen. According to IANS, the film's debut producers, Raadhika Nanda and Sanjay Saha, described the process of finding and working with transgender talent as both adventurous and challenging.

The filmmakers shared that it was an enlightening experience to interact with the 300 members of the transgender community, as they learnt about their life experiences and incorporated them into the film. The producers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the transgender individuals, acknowledging the stark differences between their world and their own.

During the research phase of the film, the production team received invaluable assistance from Renuka, a transgender woman. Renuka played a significant role in providing insights into the community's culture, upbringing, and the daily challenges they face. She introduced the filmmakers to various members of the transgender community, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of their lives. Additionally, she facilitated interactions between Siddiqui and transgender individuals, enabling the actor to immerse himself in their experiences and portray his character authentically.

Talking about the same, Saha stated, "She helped us learn about their community and their upbringing, along with the challenges faced by them from childhood to their day-to-day life. She also made us visit many people from the community which helped us write the script and get a better understanding of their life. She had brought some of her friends from the community to [Siddiqui] so that he could get into the character and deeply understand their life."

Saha also appreciated Renuka for walking the cast and crew through various intricacies of being transgender. "Renuka has helped us through the entire medical process too, including how the operation happens and what they have to go through post operation," shared Saha. "The writers sat with the transgender people to have a fair understanding of where they live, where they get treated, what they do in daily lives, and followed their lifestyle which helped us a lot to make Haddi a truth based film on them since [Siddiqui] is playing a transgender,"

Saha also commended Siddiqui's dedication to the role, stating that the actor had spent considerable time with transgender individuals to gain a profound understanding of their struggles. This commitment to understanding and empathising with the community ensured that the film would present an accurate depiction of transgender lives.

In a recent interview, Siddiqui expressed how his experience working on Haddi had transformed his perspective. The actor mentioned that playing the role of a transgender person had taught him patience and deep respect for performers. The poster of the film, featuring Siddiqui in a feminine appearance, has already garnered attention online.

Haddi is expected to be available for streaming on Zee5 in the near future. The film not only aims to entertain but also seeks to shed light on the experiences and challenges faced by transgender individuals. The inclusion of 300 real transgender people in the cast adds a layer of authenticity and reinforces the filmmakers' commitment to providing an accurate representation of this marginalised community.

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