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Nadira Mehrin on her role in 'Maranamass': This is what the transgender community has been hoping for

Nadira Mehrin on her role in 'Maranamass': This is what the transgender community has been hoping for

Radhika Nair / etimes.in / Updated: Apr 14, 2025, 11:30 IST

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Nadira Mehrin, celebrated for her role in 'Maranamass,' expresses joy over portraying a 'normal' character, a significant step for transgender representation in Malayalam cinema. She highlights the impact of breaking typecasting and hopes for continued normalization in film. Despite a ban in Saudi Arabia, Nadira appreciates the team's support and looks forward to future roles without predefined 'brackets'.

Nadira Mehrin on her role in 'Maranamass': This is what the transgender community has been hoping for

Actress and Bigg Boss Malayalam fame Nadira Mehrin is on cloud nine—not just because her film Maranamass is receiving praise, but also because her portrayal of a 'normal' character is earning recognition. Though she plays a supporting role alongside Basil Joseph, the moment marks a significant milestone for both her and the transgender community. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Nadira expresses her pride in this achievement.
“I feel proud of what I’ve achieved! While many from the community have made it to films, they were often cast only as sex workers or transgender characters. That typecasting has always followed us. But now, for the first time, a transgender person is playing a ‘normal�?role—one that isn’t predefined or boxed in—in a commercial Malayalam film. This is something we’ve been hoping for, or rather, requesting for a long time,�?she shared.
Nadira emphasized that a film like this is bound to make a significant impact on society.

"Just like no one points out that the heroine is a woman, we too wish to be seen as normal in films. Whether it's a passenger on a bus or the heroine's friend, we’ve always wanted to be portrayed like any other actor on screen. In Maranamass, I played an Anganwadi teacher, and I believe this role will help many people understand that we, too, lead dignified lives in society. Cinema has the power to create awareness, and this kind of normalisation will hopefully inspire more filmmakers to follow suit," she added.
Speaking about how she landed the role, Nadira shared that it was a single line from the director that truly motivated her.
“When the director called me about the role, my first question was, ‘Am I playing a transgender character?�?His reply truly moved me. He said, ‘No, you’re playing a normal human being—an Anganwadi teacher.�?That one line said it all. I was so inspired,�?Nadira shared.
Though overwhelmed by the warm reception, Nadira admitted she felt disheartened that the film was banned in Saudi Arabia and had to undergo re-editing in Kuwait.

“It is disheartening—to know that the movie was banned just because of me. I hope change reaches there soon as well. I’m incredibly thankful to the team for standing by me, even in such a difficult moment. They could have easily edited out my scenes and released it there, but they chose not to. In fact, they even kept it from me for a while so I wouldn’t feel upset. Even though I played a small role, they included me in all the promotional activities. When I personally apologised to producer Tovino, he comforted me and said it was never my fault. I’ll always be grateful to the team for embracing me the way they did," she opened up.
Sharing her experience on set, Nadira couldn’t stop gushing about the fun moments she had with Basil.
“When I entered the set and introduced myself, everyone said, ‘Yes, we know you.�?Thanks to my reality show. The set was so comfortable, and I had an amazing time. A movie set with Basil? You can imagine how fun-filled it was! We’d have hilarious conversations before our scenes. Although I’ve done three movies before, this was a unique experience. With the movie receiving such great responses and my character being noticed, I’m 110% satisfied. I hope to do more work in cinema, portraying normal characters without any 'brackets,'�?Nadira concluded.

About the Author

Radhika Nair

Radhika Nair is a Digital Content Producer with over six years of experience in the entertainment beat. She specializes in covering celebrity interviews and industry news, with a focus on movies, TV shows, and OTT updates. Radhika is known for her insightful reporting and dynamic content creation. Her hobbies include photography, which complements her career in digital content production by enhancing her storytelling skills and capturing compelling visual narratives.

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