Trans Woman Watches 'Sacred Games', Says Portrayal Of Transgenders Is Not Entirely Accurate

Sacred Games, an Indian web television series by Netflix, based on Vikram Chandra's 2006 thriller novel has been shot in the backdrop of 1970's Mumbai. It depicts a time when communal tensions between the Hindus and the Muslims resulted in several killings. The series starts with what Ganesh Gaitonde, a character played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui thinks of God.?

Amid all this, a character dressed in a shimmering gown descends from gangster Suleiman Isa's red Rolls-Royce and enters a club, where Gaitonde is refused entry as he is not as rich and powerful as Isa. At this point in the series, he tells the audience that Kukoo is an alluring dream, full of magic (Kukoo ka jaadoo) and that he wants her by his side, be it by hook or by crook.?

The character of Kukoo, played by Kubbra Sait made an equally powerful impact as?Sartaj Singh, Ganesh Gaitonde and Anjali Mathur, played by Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte respectively. She essayed the role of a transgender bar dancer, who is sought after for her perceived 'magical charm', and later becomes the love interest of Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui).?

What was more fascinating about the character of Kukoo is the way she carried herself and ruled the men around her. Ironically, such a strong character does not appear in the novel, other than just a mere mention.?

What makes her character appealing and different from other gun molls is the fact that Kukoo is intelligent and confident.

So far, Bollywood has only portrayed the transgender characters in dark light, but Kubbra Sait has managed to change the perception.?

In most of the Bollywood flicks, transgender characters are either used as evil or for comic relief. If you look through history, especially through 90's and the early 2000's, there are several films, where transgender characters have been portrayed in such light or as a sidekick who was just there to be ridiculed.

After watching the character of Kukoo win hearts with her magical charm, a very important question that pops in our mind - Are the transgenders that we see on roads, brothels etc equally confident? Do they feel the same way?

Well, to understand this, Indiatimes made a transgender woman watch Sacred Games and this is what she had to say: (Edited excerpt)

"It's a good watch but in reality people don't see our charm (Jadoo), instead, they see us as a sex object and ridicule us. We don't get the luxuries that Kukoo had. I feel its a myth or done just for the audience," Queen said. (Name changed on request)

"Something that is similar between me and Kukoo is the confidence but that is often shaken cause of the society. It's not that transgenders have not earned fame and respect but the cases are negligible. Just like Kukoo, even I love dancing but my audience is often my friends (other transgenders)."

Kubbra Sait, in a chit chat with Indiatimes pointed out, "Even the character of Cuckoo was ridiculed when?Paritosh Shah asked Gaitonde to marry and settle (cause Kukoo was a transgender). I researched about that time while preparing for the role and realised that things were no better then for transgenders, it was just a few privileged like Kukoo who enjoyed the attention cause of the #jadoo she had.

All the women in the series have strong characters. For me, the character of Kukoo stood out because she not only had strength, but she also knew how to turn shame into confidence. She looked at herself as the most divine thing to happen to mankind."

Kubbra believes that every woman has her magical charm. She added, "Every woman has a magical charm, all they need is to understand it. Being a transgender cannot take it away from a woman. Even I realised it, through this character. I wish all the women, transgender or not, should understand and believe in their magical charm"?

It's not Kukoo or Queen or any other transgender but the society that is to be held responsible for their condition. While, Kukoo used to get the attention for her said magical charm and beauty, transgenders in today's time are ridiculed and seen as a mere sex object. Every woman should take inspiration from Kukoo and just like her, should wear her charm on her sleeve proudly.?