Misrepresentation of Hijra individuals in Bangladeshi media is rampant. Instead of authentic portrayals, Hijra characters are often reduced to stereotypes, used as comedic relief, or ridiculed. Cisgender male actors frequently play these roles, exaggerating mannerisms to create caricatures that further stigmatize the community. Films like Common Gender (2012) and various TV dramas sensationalize Hijra characters, stripping them of depth, agency, and authenticity. This erases the community’s rich cultural heritage and reinforces societal prejudices, perpetuating marginalization. The persistence of these portrayals underscores a broader societal failure to acknowledge the legitimacy of Hijra identities and their rightful place in storytelling.
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Bangladesh Feminist Archives 