“I’m not the same person I was before seeing Maja Ma and Madhuri Dixit play a lyrical and explicit lesbian character” – such and more tweets were seen on social media, articulating the feelings and reactions of many who have seen Amazon Original Movie, Maja Ma, which premiered on Prime Video on October 6. Given this positive response from the public across the spectrum, the streaming service facilitated a very insightful fireside chat on “The Representation of the LGBTQIA+ Community in Indian Content”. The panel consisted of Madhuri Dixit (Bollywood icon and lead actress, Maja Ma), Anand Tiwari (director, Maja Ma), Vivek Raj Anand (CEO-Humsafar Trust), Shruta Rawat (Research Manager – Humsafar Trust and co-founder of Umang – Humsafar Trust’s LBT Initiative) and Niki Ray (IT/IT’S, @themadbai, storyteller, writer, creator, mental health professional and counselor) and was moderated by Nikhil Taneja, founder of YUVAA.
Madhuri Dixit actor Maja Ma initiates a dialogue about the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in Indian content
The film shows a strong, impressive ‘coming out’ story about Pallavi Patel, a middle-aged Indian woman, beautifully portrayed by the original Queen of Bollywood – Madhuri Dixit. The fireside conversation was about how the film could play an important role in bringing a new wave of awareness and acceptance to a sensitive topic like gender identity. The panel further discussed that this film is a remarkable example of how content can become an influencing force in normalizing LGBTQIA+ conversations in Indian households.
The panelists discussed and shared their views on the importance of dealing with the subject sensitively and helping to dispel the prejudice surrounding it. The conversation also expanded on why it was necessary to tell this story through the character of Pallavi, who plays a homely, recognizable middle-aged woman who brings out the truth that sexuality is only a small part of who you are and don’t describe yourself. What you do in your life and the impact you have on the lives of others around you is what really matters.
Asked about her experience playing Pallavi Patel, a middle-aged woman coming out of the closet, Madhuri Dixit said: “When I read the script, I felt this was a story that needed to be told, to get the message that there was all kinds of people are needed to make this world and that we have to accept each other as we are.Throughout my career I have gained the love and trust of my fans and I was confident that my voice would be heard when I speak on a sensitive subject like this, and the turmoil faced by someone who has to go through a similar situation, and maybe even help bring about a change in existing perceptions.” She added: “I recently saw a tweet from a viewer who watched Maja Ma with her mother and grandmother, and they all loved it. This is what the film is really about, crossing generations and touching the hearts of the viewers with its beautiful message. I am pleased to see that the film is already making an impact and sparking conversations within families and age groups.”
Anand Tiwari, director of the film, said: “Maja Ma is a story about acceptance. I believe it is vital for many of us to be accepted by one’s family members, whether it’s one’s gender identity, career choice, or anything else that matters and really defines you. It can really empower you.” He added: “From the moment Maja Ma’s first idea came up, we knew where we wanted to go. We could not have done this without the expertise and in-depth knowledge on the subject from organizations like Humsafar, Umang and YUVAA, who have brought authenticity to the character of Pallavi Patel, beautifully portrayed by Madhuri Dixit.”
“I believe that any story that the audience can connect and identify with will work. I have a strong feeling that Pallavi is a character that resonates. She represents hundreds and thousands of those people, men or women, who have lived with this truth about themselves for decades, but have never talked about this one aspect of their lives.” said Vivek Raj Anand, CEO of Humsafar Trust.
Sharing her views on how Maja Ma can bring about profound change in society, social entrepreneur and writer Niki Ray said, “There is a large proportion of Indian people who do not have access to information or awareness about LGBTQ related feelings or experiences. In such a situation, Bollywood can serve as a great medium of communication to the masses. So, in terms of impact, if a movie like this, when watched by masses across the country and beyond, can convey the message of acceptance and manage to to stir even the slightest thought in people’s minds, that’s a good enough start.”
Shruta Rawat, co-founder of Umang, shares her view on why the younger generation is joining this story, saying, “Often we have seen or even experienced ourselves that those people who have been assigned a female gender at birth are generally until something life-changing happens, people around you don’t ask what you want or what you want to be. people don’t notice or care about you. Only when a certain truth about you comes out, whether it’s about your gender identity or anything else that can’t be neatly labeled by gender is when you’re in the spotlight, which is why Maja Ma resonates so well and ties in very closely with today’s youth.”
For decades, the on-screen portrayal of members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Indian cinema has been downplayed due to various social prejudices. You rarely come across a mainstream film that really does justice to the challenges faced by members of this community. In light of this, a light-hearted family drama, Maja Ma conveys a deep and relevant message that pushes the viewer to create a progressive society in which each of us is seen and heard, not based on our gender or sexual preferences or orientations, but like humans. How today’s content like Maja Ma, with established stars like Madhuri Dixit playing the daring character of a lesbian, can have an impact of colossal proportions in boosting representation of the LGTBQIA+ community, the fireside discussion underlined .
Amazon Original Movie Maja Ma Premiered on Prime Video on 6e October, and is currently streaming in over 240 countries and territories.
Read also: Madhuri Dixit dispels midweek blues in Gaurang Shahs yellow silk saree
More Pages: Maja Ma Box Office Collection, Maja Ma Movie Review
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