Review: Baapya: Sensitive Subject Handled Maturely!

Sex change, or gender transition, has become an important and widely discussed topic in modern society. However, the subject still remains sensitive in many societies due to cultural beliefs, social stigma, and lack of awareness. At the same time, increased representation in films, media, and public life has helped create greater visibility and acceptance. The newly released Marathi film Baapya handles the subject of gender transition very maturely and with dignity.

Shailaja and Anya are childhood friends from a town in the Konkan region, and Anya’s fondness for Shailaja grows with time. Shaila (Rajshri Deshpande) is reluctant to reciprocate his feelings as she feels that she is a male trapped in a female’s body. However, family pressure compels her to marry Anya (Girish Kulkarni), and they have a son, Sanjay (Aryan Menghji). Shaila always dreams of becoming a doctor, and Anya supports her in achieving that dream. She joins medical college, but her absence creates friction in their relationship. In a fit of anger, Anya sends her a divorce notice, which, to his and his family’s surprise, she accepts. Anya remarries and has two daughters with his new wife (Devika Daftardar). Later, he summons his ex-wife regarding property-related issues, and a Dr. Shailesh arrives for the same. It is then revealed that Shailaja has undergone a sex change and is now Shailesh. All hell breaks loose in Anya’s life and in the village, and what transpires later forms the crux of the story.

Marathi cinema has always handled difficult and unconventional subjects with sensitivity, and Baapya goes a step further by tackling a taboo topic. The screenplay allows the characters to display the emotional impact arising from the situation, and debutant director Sameer Tiwari handles the subject with maturity and subtlety without going overboard. The music is good, and the scenic Konkan region is beautifully captured by the cinematographer. The editing could have been crisper, as the film drags at places in the latter half.

Girish Kulkarni has aced the role of an extrovert and delights the audience with his improvisations in several scenes. Rajshri Deshpande is simply outstanding, and her two avatars are drastically different. Credit for this transformation should also go to the makeup department. She portrays the character with aplomb and convincingly presents the vulnerability of the role. Others, including Devika Daftardar, Shrikant Yadav, and Aryan Menghji, lend solid support.

Baapya is a thought-provoking film presented without being preachy.

Rating: ***1/2