Some films make a lot of noise to get your attention. And then there are films like Baapya, which quietly find their way into your heart and stay there long after the credits roll.
To be honest, Baapya is one of the bravest and most sincere Marathi films. In an era when talks about gender identity and acceptance are taboo topics for many, this film is brave enough to unfold its story with love, humor and, above all, respect.
The movie takes place in the picturesque village of fisherman community in the coastal area called Konkan. The main character of the film is Shailesh (earlier Shailaja), a trans man and doctor, portrayed by Rajshri Deshpande. But coming back home isn’t exactly easy. His return brings back old memories, unresolved emotions and a whole lot of questions from people who are still trying to understand and accept his identity.
What makes Baapya interesting is that it doesn’t turn its characters into villains or try to offer easy answers. Instead, it looks at the situation through the eyes of a family trying to make sense of something they don’t fully understand.
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Girish Kulkarni is just incredible as Anya, the ex-husband of Shailesh. This character finds himself between the past he knows and the present-day Shailesh. There are a lot of things, including confusion and conflict going on emotionally that are so believable in his performance.
Rajshri Deshpande is the actress who gives such an incredible amount of authenticity and sensitivity to the character of Shailesh. The actress does an amazing job of portraying the character with great subtlety.
Devika Daftardar also makes an impression as Vishakha, Anya’s second wife, who has her own insecurities and fears to deal with. And Aaryan Menghji, as teenage Sanjya, adds another emotional layer to the story. His struggle to accept his parent’s new identity reflects the kind of complicated questions that families often find difficult to talk about.
And that’s where Baapya really works. It understands that acceptance isn’t always an overnight transformation. Sometimes it comes with arguments, awkward conversations, misunderstandings, fear and even a little humour. The film allows all of that to exist without losing its emotional core.
What I particularly appreciate is that it doesn’t treat trans identity as a subject meant only to make audiences emotional. There’s a person, a family, relationships and an entire community behind the issue. And the film gives them all space.
The Konkan locale also has its share of charm. The seaside ambience, the village dynamics and the simple setting add further realism to the tale.
Indeed, the strongest asset of the film Baapya is its actors’ performance. Rajshri Deshpande and Girish Kulkarni deliver an outstanding performance in what easily could have been an overdramatic movie otherwise.
It’s the type of a film which brings a smile to your face at times and makes you think at others. But most importantly, it teaches us the lesson about unconditional love and unconditionally happy families.
If you want to enjoy a movie that goes beyond just entertainment, I highly recommend you see Baapya.
Baapya is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
