Interview : Kanak Garg : Anybody can fall in love with anybody!

He, She They. Usually there are two #genders recognised as He or She but in the modern society They gender too is accepted by the society. The ‘#ThirdGender’ has been recognised by the passport office, railways, election cards etc. So there’s an awakening and acceptance to this gender. #Transgenders are genetically, biologically, and physiologically men who are also called #eunuchs, #transsexuals, and #transvestites in English and colloquially hijras, alis, kothis, double deckers, gud and panthis in India. Though ‘They’ are looked down upon by the major part of the society, there’s a film addressing their issues made by a writer and director #PallaviRoySharma titled ‘#Unwoman’. It’s lead actor Kanak Garg is also an ally of #LGBTQIA+ community who spoke to our senior editor Mr #KeertiKadam about the film and the the subject at hand.

How did you get connected with this film Unwoman?

Actually I belong to Jodhpur and after staying in multiple cities decided to come to Mumbai for my Masters’ degree in English Literature. I always was attracted to performing arts and I got a chance to do modelling while studying. I was a fashion model and have walked ramp for many designers. I believe that I am a storyteller at heart and to further that interest I started auditioning for films and shows.

In the meanwhile I came across an ad by a casting director Naren wherein he was looking out for artistes from NSD and/or FTII. I got in touch with him and he seemed reluctant saying that he was looking out for a raw Dehati looking girl. He thought that fashionable girl like me can not suit the role. But I sent him a few of my pictures in which I was without make up and the look was earthy and raw. He liked it and asked me to audition. I did but I was told that the role was allotted to someone else. I was going about my routine when after about a couple of months Naren asked me to send my audition tape, again. I am not a trained actor but I had done a good job in the tape. After a few days I got the good news that I was doing the film.

Later I came to know that Unwoman was about intersex character. Since I am an active member who works in close quarters for the transgender community, I was delighted to represent my community in a film. Though the role was challenging, I took it head on and started prepping for it. Mind you all this happened during the lockdown period through video calls. But once all of us met at Jodhpur for shoot everything was a smooth ride. We all rehearsed and stayed together till the shoot was complete.

How easy or difficult was it to do intimate scenes?

I always had a creative interaction with my director and things used to be clear. Also I must thank my co-actor Sarthak Narula, who plays my husband in the film, for relentless support offered during the shoot. We used to discuss the scenes before the shoot and that helped us remove the inhibitions doing intimate scenes. Also we had a intimacy director on sets. It helped me to understand how to ‘cheat’ before the camera. In fact now I am a full fledged Intimacy Coordinator and help production houses. Though sexual violence and violent scenes were difficult to perform.

I was given to understand beforehand about the intimate scenes as well as violence and nudity. But I was not aware of the degree of it. But our director has shot those scenes very aesthetically and never was I uncomfortable. This is my debut film but I never was exploited during the shoot.

What does the film want to convey?

Love. It’s a love story of a different kind. The movie will spread a message that every human being has a right to love whoever he or she wants to. Anybody can fall in love with anybody. Sex or sexual orientation is a personal thing and others do not have a right to question it. But we live in a society where there are boundaries and certain social behaviour expected by each one. The transgender community is looked down upon but they too are humans and have a right to all emotions. I believe that the society should follow, ‘Live and Let Live’, Jiyo Aur Jine Do’ policy.

There’s a case going on about same sex marriages. What are your views on that?

I think this is not new in our culture. It is considered that this has come from the western culture. But it is not so. We belong to an ancient society which boasts of Khajuraho and Kamasutra. Third gender community has been part of the society for ages. In fact in olden times the eunuchs were used to protect women folk by the kings. But the Britishers started ruling us and they brain washed our mentality that third sex gender was evil. Why queer community has to explain about their sexuality? I feel that a gender can not be only black and white. Gender is a spectrum.

What are your expectations from Unwoman?

Frankly speaking though it is my debut, dream debut, film I am not looking for instant stardom. While doing this film I felt that the story spoke to me at every moment. I was touched with the subject and I am glad the film is seeing light of the day. Our three years hard work is ultimately in front of all of you and I am representing LGBTQIA+ community is more engrossing for me.