Lead roles for transvestites in Tamil film

Chennai, Aug 15 (IANS) Two prominent transgender activists of Tamil Nadu will play lead roles in a forthcoming film 'Karuvaraippookkal'.

Mohanambal and Living Smile Vidya, the name adopted by the activist after a sex-change operation, are the leaders of the Tamil Nadu Aravani Association. Activist-lawyer L. Xavier has roped them in for the film.

Xavier is also writing the story, screenplay and dialogues for the film, which he will make for producers Nivedita International. Xavier shot into limelight as counsel in the sensational Gingee Rita Mary case. Rita was a teenager, sold into a brothel and then put in a lockup where wardens raped her in 2001. The case came to an end with the conviction of the accused in 2006.

Xavier, along with others, will also pen the lyrics for the film and T.A. Thomas will score the music.