Madras Eyes mixes both fiction and documentary styles to create a unique film that
examines the life story of a young eunuch living in India. Arun, an Indian filmmaker,
is wandering through the chaos and confusion of Madras, seeking inspiration for his
next movie. Suddenly, he finds himself captivated by a statue of the androgynous god
Ardanari - half man, half woman.
He asks Sharda, a charming and mysterious eunuch, to tell him about life between the
male and the female. Interviews with Sharda and Sharda's family are intercut with
recreations of episodes from the young eunuch's life, depicted as if they were filmed
for a popular Indian movie. We see Sharda as a curious young boy attracted to all
things female and unhappy living as a male. When he grows up, he goes to live with
the eunuchs and soon decides to be initiated by taking part in the Sadhara ceremony
commonly referred to as Nirvana. Madras Eyes was shot in Southern India with the cooperation
of a eunuch community.
“The Third International Transgender Film and Video Festival Program.” London: Alchemy
Festival Productions, 1999. Personal Archives.