There is another glaring aspect highlighted in the movie. For a moment, lets forget about the gender identity portrayal and just look as to how it would be if men and women had “opposite” “roles” in the society. The first few scenes are exactly that “pin thoongi mun ezhudhal” “manavaatiye manavaalanin ……”, the main male character cooks for the female character, the woman hates to be questioned. These are typical problems amongst even heterosexual couples but it happens in just the opposite way to what was portrayed in the movie. I would presume that many of the present day men and women would find that odd even if the character wasn’t effeminate.

Gowthaman: You stole my words. I was about to post this reply to Ajay

@Ajay: I am confused. No one is asking for a ban. Nothing that extreme. Deepan has just articulated what he sees as a problem with the movie. You might disagree with his interpretation, but that doesn’t mean he has to “just deal with it”. I am glad he voiced his opinion.

Wow.

Politically incorrect, but very nicely done

I am glad you are defending the ‘Freedom of Expression’ of the film makers. While doing so you we must understand that to criticize any work also fall within the domain of Freedom of Expression. We cannot equate such criticism with the protests by some muslim groups because, we are not seeking a ban. Also, to say that movies are for ‘mere entertainment’ and should not be taken seriously is going down a slippery slope.

// There is nothing wrong with an effeminate male being involved with a girl and I am happy that this was portrayed in the movie. At least it brings home an important fact. Gender variance doesn’t neccessarily imply alternate sexuality.// The movie does not portray any of what you said here. It only reinforces the usual stereotypes about an effeminate man. It links his effeminate nature to his sexual orientation to in many indirect ways. There is a scene in which the wife suggests that he most probably wouldn’t be having an affair with a woman indicating his sexual orientation. And there is another scene in which Kamal coyly blinks his eyes knowing the name of his kidnapper indicating his interest in him. And the wife even wonders how he could be normal as he is effeminate. She falls for him only when he reveals his real macho identity.

The point here is also about how we view gender non conformities as not normal. The movie only succeeds in reinforcing those ideas.

I suggest you watch the movie for better understanding!

The fact is no straight woman would want an effeminate man for a partner except in the case of this movie where the guy is a dancer and when it is a marriage of convenience. Plus it is her god damn right to chose any man she wants, she has the right to judge any man she wants and she has the right to sleep with as many man as she wants.

Everyone is entitled to express their thoughts i.e. freedom of expression. If there is a movie about two homosexual misogynistic men, if there is a book and a movie about a psychotic trans-woman who murders heavy girls and skins them, if there is a movie about two abused neglected housewives who start a sexual relationship and fall in love out of choice and if there are tons and tons of movies on ‘psycho-lesbos’, just deal with it. The movies and books are not meant to tarnish the community but it is meant for entertainment ALONE. If anyone is acting upon such trivial matters they are no different than the minority Muslim groups who caused cultural terrorism.

There are so many movies on discrimination and abuse of LGBT caused by straight individuals. Why hasn’t anyone reacted? Why no one complained that the movies have hurt our sentiments? Why the movies portray straight people as dull, boring and barbaric? Because they are intelligent enough to know it is a movie stating certain facts and is solely meant for entertainment.

Nicely put 🙂

Thanks