The recently unveiled teaser trailer for the highly anticipated drama ‘Guru’ has unexpectedly generated widespread controversy and backlash on social media platforms. The central point of contention revolves around the casting decision to portray an intersex character with a cisgender actor, Ali Rehman Khan, which has ignited a passionate debate about the importance of authentic representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
Renowned transgender activist Shehzadi Rai took to Twitter to express her dismay and raise important questions about the lack of diversity and inclusivity in casting decisions. Rai emphasized the significance of providing opportunities for transgender individuals to play roles that resonate with their own experiences. Arguing for proper representation, she contended that men’s roles should be played by men and women’s roles by women, to avoid perpetuating misrepresentation and stereotypes.
The announcement of ‘Guru’ faced widespread criticism from Twitter users who accused the production of capitalizing on the stories of the khwajasira community while failing to adequately support or include its members. The industry’s practice of token inclusion came under scrutiny, as celebrities remained silent on the rights of the community while readily accepting roles portraying khwajasira characters. Drawing parallels to a previous film controversy, Twitter users pointed out the hypocrisy of accepting marginalized stories only when told by storytellers from within those communities.
Express Entertainment faced backlash for casting a cisgender actor in a marginalized role. Twitter users questioned their commitment to positive impact and suggested hiring a talented trans individual from the khwajasira community instead. The ongoing social media backlash highlights the importance of genuine representation and uplifting marginalized communities by giving them opportunities to share their own stories.
