My work should be my identity not my gender: Gazal Dhaliwal

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Screenwriter Gazal Dhaliwals latest release is an atmospheric love story, titled A Monsoon Date. The short film in which Konkona Sensharma plays the lead character — a transwoman seeking love — is currently streaming on the OTT platform of Eros. Dhaliwal, who has been credited for movies such as Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2018) Qarib Qarib Singlle (2018) Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) and Wazir (2016), talks about her sexuality, conflicts and her unique journey. Excerpts:

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What was the trigger for the story of A Monsoon Date?

Im personally fond of monsoons. Sometimes the outside reflects whats inside you. There is a storm building up outside as it is inside the lead character. Almost nothing happens in the film yet so much happens with this one character as she is heading to a date she has been seeing for a month.

What are the challenges of a short film vis-a-vis a feature?

When you are writing a feature film, be mentally prepared to devote at least two years to it. I wrote A Monsoon Date in a month and we shot it in two-and-a-half days. Feature films have an arc with beginning, middle, and end. Short films too have a beginning, middle and end, but the scope is smaller.

You have been telling certain kinds of stories. Is it a conscious decision?

Im conscious of the kind of work I want to do. I have been fortunate that something like Lipstick Under My Burkha came my way. That was the first movie I signed but the first one to be released was Wazir, for which I wrote additional dialogues. Qarib Qarib Singlle is my favourite as I love romcoms. Of late, there is a sense of exhaustion when it comes to romcoms as you feel that you have seen it all. However, I could sense that the flavour in this was new.

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Being an IT engineer, how were you drawn to cinema?

The love for cinema was passed on to me genetically. My father had lots of video and audio cassettes. In hindsight, my life was so suffocating that watching Bollywood films was one way of believing that happy endings were possible. Coming from Patiala, my exposure to Hindi cinema was limited. Lamhe (1991) was my favourite film. Its an unusual, almost impossible love story. I always thought if I ever find love, it would be an impossible love story.

What prompted you to quit your job and study filmmaking at Mumbais Xaviers College?

During school and college days, I used to direct plays. In the 90s, career options were limited in smaller towns. Since I was good in math, I pursued engineering and joined Infosys. I was posted in Mysore for two years, which was a dark period in my life; I didnt have friends. The worst was that the Karnataka government passed a law that Hindi movies wont release at the same time and would show only three weeks later. Cinema was a respite for me. Thats when I thought of giving movies a shot.

Two years after you joined the course, you underwent a sex reassignment surgery in 2007. Are these two decisions connected?

When I moved to Mumbai, I had two dreams — to undergo the sex-change procedure and work in movies. I told myself that since my first dream will never come true, at least, I must not let go of the other. As part of our diploma, my group made a documentary on transgenders. We spoke to people from the hijra community, transsexuals, and surgeons. Once again, I was hopeful of opting for a sex change. I took the documentary home and showed it to my parents. When it ended, my dad turned to me and said: “So, when are you doing it?”

Had you anticipated their support?

Not immediately. I thought I would have to do some convincing but the fRead More – Source