Ardhanaari
| Ardhanaari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Santhosh Souparnika |
| Produced by | M. G. Sreekumar |
| Written by | Santhosh Souparnika |
| Starring |
Manoj K. Jayan Maniyanpilla Raju Thilakan Sukumari Saikumar |
| Music by | Rajeev Alunkal(lyrics) |
| Cinematography | Hemachandran |
| Edited by | Abhilash Elikkattoor |
Production company |
MG Sound & Frames Company |
| Distributed by | MG Sound & Frames Release |
Release dates |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Ardhanaari (2012) is a Malayalam film about the life of transgender people in Kerala. The film is directed by Santhosh Souparnika and produced by M. G. Sreekumar under his production house MG Sound & Frames.[1][2]
Vinayan (Manoj K. Jayan), is a transgender with male physique and female behavioral traits which leads to ridicule and snide remarks from his brother and others. The film brings out the rituals, customs, angst and preferences of transgender people. The title of the film alludes to the half male and half female Hindu god Ardhanarishvara. Also starring in the film are Maniyanpilla Raju, Thilakan, Sukumari and Saikumar. It was one of the last films featuring Thilakan who died weeks before the release of the film.
The film opened to mixed critical reviews but the performance by Manoj K. Jayan as a eunuch gained unanimous appreciation. It is widely considered as one of the finest performances by the actor.[3][4]
Cast
- Manoj K. Jayan as Manjula/Vinayan
- Mahalakshmi as Kokila
- Thilakan as Naik
- Maniyanpilla Raju as Jameela
- Sukumari as the priest
- Saikumar
- Thesni Khan
- Irshad
- Jayakrishnan as Balu Menan
- Asha Sarath as Balu Menan's wife
Awards
- Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam - Manoj K. Jayan
- Pending—SIIMA Award for Best Actor - Manoj K. Jayan