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THE PROTECTOR

MUHAFIZ

By Pradipta RAY

LOTUS VISUAL PRODUCTIONS - as PROD

Drama - Completed 2022

During religious riots, Samir, a gay man rescues Rafiq, a Muslim man, being chased by a mob. Their dialogue leads to both men understanding each other’s plight a little better. Both conclude that the gay/trans community is no better off than the Muslim community – hunted and invisible

Festivals
& Awards

BFI Flare 2022
Shorts
Kashish 2022
Winner - Best Short Film
London Indian Film Festival 2022
Shorts
Iris prize 2022
Nominee - Best Short film
Kashish 2022
Winner - Best Screenplay
Inside Out 2022
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    • Year of production
    • 2022
    • Genres
    • Drama, Social issues, LGBT
    • Countries
    • INDIA
    • Languages
    • HINDI
    • Budget
    • 0 - 0.3 M$
    • Duration
    • 20 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Pradipta RAY
    • Synopsis
    • During the 2002 Godhra riots in Gujarat, India, 30-year-old Samir, smuggles a Rafiq, a bearded Muslim man, being chased by a Hindu mob, into his workshop. Once inside, however, Samir tries unsuccessfully to seduce the handsome Rafiq. Annoyed by the refusal, Samir throws Rafiq out of his house, only later to find a terrified Rafiq who has managed to sneak back in.

      Their dialogue leads to both men understanding each other’s plight a little better. Both conclude that the gay/trans community is no better off than the Muslim community – hunted and invisible.

      As Samir attempts to get Rafiq to safety in the early hours of the dawn, both men are stopped by the neighborhood mob that insists that both men showing them their ‘passports’ (genitals) to prove they are not Muslim. As the situation quickly spirals out of control, Samir comes out as transgender by clapping loudly like a Hijra as He dares the mob to look at his Hijra genitals and be cursed, a common superstition in Indian culture. The mob apologizes and leaves both men alone. Samir drops Rafiq to a safe area. While walking away, Rafiq turns around to thank his savior, but Samir is already gone.

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