The documentary series ‘In Transit’ distinguishes itself by directly presenting the voices of transgender individuals, both male and female, without any external narration. This approach allows for an unfiltered perspective.
This device of giving a platform to the unheard adds a powerful dimension to ‘In Transit’. The series moves away from the conventional attempts to ‘understand’ marginalized communities, instead acknowledging their desire for acceptance.
Producers Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, along with director Ayesha Sood, showcase voices from the transgender community often overlooked in mainstream media. These are not the usual, overexposed narratives; they are the quieter voices that warrant attention. They don’t demand attention; they command it.
A positive aspect of this exploration of gender identity is the absence of self-pity. The series features resilient individuals determined to live as their true selves, prioritizing companionship and empathy over societal norms.
One particular highlight is the individual who, identifying as a woman who prefers to be a man, successfully convinced their parents not to force a marriage, humorously utilizing patriarchal concepts to their advantage.
While the series acknowledges instances of bullying, assault, discrimination, and abandonment, it also highlights the kindness of those around these gender-ambivalent individuals.
‘In Transit’ offers a hopeful outlook, depicting a community embracing their identities without dwelling on sorrow. The interviewees exhibit remarkable clarity about the inner and outer struggles they navigate. The series concludes with a positive example, where one trans-woman (Madhuri) finds happiness in marriage with her straight boyfriend. ‘In Transit’ gives us hope that there would be more such safe landings for the turbulent community.
