By her own admission

Amarjot Kaur

Chandigarh-based film director Ojaswee Sharma announced the release of his first feature-length biographical docudrama, Admitted, based on the life and struggles of transwoman Dhananjay Chauhan. In many ways, first through an NGO called Saksham Trust and then through pride walks and transgender fashion shows, 45-year-old Dhananjay has been rooting for transgender rights and their inclusion in the mainstream society. 

Some three years ago, she created history in Chandigarh by becoming the first transgender to have enrolled in for a master’s degree in human rights and duties at Panjab University (PU). Now, as many as five transgender students study at PU. 

Not just that, Dhananjay is also the member of Chandigarh’s Transgender Welfare Board which was formed last year in August. 

“This is what I found inspiring about Dhananjay. She didn’t wear the transgender tag with a sense of entitlement. She has worked towards inclusion and became a trailblazer for other transgenders after getting admission in Panjab University. That’s what inspired me to make a film about her life,” says the 30-year-old director, who has already made some 20 films, some of which were screened at film festivals. 

“Through this film, I want to change people’s mindset about transgenders. Education is the best way to change the outlook of society,” says Ojaswee.

Sharing Dhananjay’s story, Ojaswee says that his parents used to think that she was a shy ‘boy’ and would happily help his mother in household chores. He adds that her parents got her married in the hope of transforming him into a ‘normal’ man. Dhananjay, who was born to a driver, has two children, a son (23) and a daughter (20) and an exceptionally supportive wife.

“I was just trapped in a wrong body,” says Dhananjay, who stirred quite a revolution in varsity’s cultural scene, addressing third gender issues. At Punjab University, Dhananjay was not treated differently by any of her classmates. “Transgenders should not suffer or feel inferior. Social acceptance is a must to ensure that they are not looked down upon, mocked or judged. In fact, now most student parties want me to represent them in the upcoming elections in PU, but I am not looking at the political aspect as of now. Just yesterday, I took admission in the German Department and am preparing for my PhD in social work too, but the issue of fees and accommodation still stands,” she says.

An inspiration for the present and upcoming generation of transgenders, the film features eminent Ex-Consul General of Canada in Chandigarh; Ex- Addl. Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh, Ex-Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University; eminent Department Heads of Panjab University; Government Colleges and Schools, popular and notable RJs and Journalists of Chandigarh from various media houses; academicians; researchers; and the common observant man.