Buy Shabnam Mousi on DVD

Shabnam Mousi

DVD

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Usually ships in
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$19.99 (20% off)
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Synopsis

Based on a real person, Shabnam Mousi is an action-packed Bollywood musical about a hijra (eunuch) who transcends societal oppression to become a successful politician. The story begins with Shabnam's birth and her parentsí decision to ask other hijras to take care of the child. Shabnam then grows up under the influence and cultures of these hijras who are her daily companions, friends and parents. She grows up to be a dancer, then runs away and, through grit and determination (and lots of great song and dance numbers and action sequences), fights against social prejudices, eventually rising to political power. Starring Vijay Raaz (from Monsoon Wedding).

In the culture of the Indian subcontinent a hijra is a physically male or intersex person who is considered a member of "the third sex." They trace their historical roots to Hinduism where they mirrored androgynous deities, as well as to the royal courts of Islamic rulers. Many modern Hijras, faced with health concerns and discrimination, have become politically active. For example, they have formed HIV/AIDS awareness groups to combat health problems within their communities. Other hijras have been elected to high political positions.

Product Format Information

DVD : $19.99

Availability: Usually ships in
5-10 days
Region Code: 1

Studio : Frameline

Keywords

Asian, International, Music/Musician, Musical, Transgender/Transsexual

Genres

Music & Theater

Customer Reviews

A Eunuch Fights for Dignity

Amos Lassen wrote on 02/05/2010:

“Shabnam Mausi”

A Eunuch Fights for Dignity

Amos Lassen

Based on a real life character, “Shabnam Mausi” takes us into the life of a real life transvestite who became a state legislator. A child is born in a police officer’s house and eunuchs come to celebrate the birth. I understand that this is an Indian custom. There is a loud exclamation when they check to see if the child is male or female and they realize that it is also a transvestite (interesting observation) and they take the child away. The baby is called Shabnam and is raised by Halima and Amma who is the head of the community. When Shabnam grows up she is framed for the murder of Halima but manages to escape police custody and she goes to Anupur. There she rescues a girl from rape and becomes famous in the village. The local political leader asks her to run for office and she accepts and wins.
The first half hour of the film depicts the lives of transvestites and their wish to lead regular lives. Howeve3r after this, everything starts to drag (no pun intended).What is interesting is the use of the words eunuchs and transvestite interchangedly. I must say that I really wanted to like this film and I did find parts of it fascinating.