BAAPYA (A MAN)

With Baapya, I wanted to tell a story that is deeply rooted in Maharashtra while exploring universal themes of identity, family, acceptance, and the courage to live as one's true self. The film is set in a small fishing village in the Konkan region, a choice that was important to me for reasons beyond its beauty. Too often, conversations around being gay or transgender are treated as urban experiences. I wanted to challenge that perception. Nature itself is diverse, and so are the people who inhabit it. By placing this story in rural Konkan, I hoped to highlight that transgender and queer identities are not confined to cities—they exist everywhere and are as natural as life itself. At the heart of Baapya is Shailesh, a trans man who returns to his village and finds himself confronting his past, his family, and unresolved relationships. While his identity is central to the narrative, the film is ultimately about human relationships—the bonds between parents and children, former partners, friends, and communities. It explores not only the courage required to be oneself, but also the courage required to accept and understand others. One of my primary goals was to make the film accessible to a wide audience. In India, cinema has the power to reach people across social, cultural, and geographical boundaries. Rather than telling this story as a niche social drama, I chose to embrace the language of popular Indian cinema—with humour, emotion, songs, and celebration. I wanted audiences to connect with the characters first as people, sharing their joys and struggles, and through that journey develop empathy and understanding. For me, Baapya is not a film about labels or differences. It is a film about love, belonging, family, and the possibility of growth—for individuals, families, and communities alike. I am deeply grateful to Rajshri Deshpande, Girish Kulkarni, and the entire cast and crew for bringing such honesty, warmth, and humanity to this story. My hope is that audiences leave the film feeling entertained, moved, and perhaps a little more open to the many ways in which people find the courage to be themselves. Sameer Tewari Director, Baapya