Tamil cinema has seen transgenders depicted poorly in several films. Very little efforts was made to express their feelings in a right way. Applause to director Vijayabaskar who has come out with Filter Gold which raw and almost real. He has tried to say their stories and feelings in a genuine manner.
Besides directing, he plays the lead as transgender Viji. She is shown almost like an angry do-gooder we saw in Nayagan or Thalapathy. Viji is more a Godfather to a community of transgenders in Pudhucherry. Her guts is her weapon. Any problem, emergency or assistance, all hapless transgender run to her.
Viji lives with Dora (Dora Sree), a transgender in a small rented house. Shanthi ( Sugumar Shanmugam) from their community is their best pal. One fine day, Shanthi is murdered. Meanwhile there is a sub-plot in the story. A carpenter Aasari ( Siva Elango) hires Viji to bump off those lusty men who wreak havoc on women’s lives. Call it a twist, Aasari’s son falls for Dora and love blossoms between them. Viji has double duty on her hand. One to avenge the killer of Shanti and another to protect Dora as Aasari comes to know about his son’s romance.
Vijayabaskar as Viji does well. The emotions, anger, agony, joy and sorrow have been brought out well. Dora Sree pitches in well. Sugumar Shanmugam’s act is appreciable. Siva Elango is pick of them as he does his job with ease and elan.
There are a plenty of dialogues that are hard-hitting. Many gets muted as the film has managed A certificate. Still they can be overlooked for the message it tries to convey. And from showing transgender as mere object of must, the director has tried to showcase their ‘different’ world. Produced by RM Nanu, it has music by Human Ezhilan, camera by Bharanikumar and editing by King David.
Filter Gold may have its flaws. But can be overlooked for sincere efforts to do a different film by the team.