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Malini Jeevarathnam

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Malini Jeevarathnam
Born
Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)Actor, Film director
Years active2017–present

Malini Jeevarathnam is an Indian documentary film director, who primarily works in Tamil Nadu. They are known for their acting and documentary work on LGBTQ+ issues.

Personal life[edit]

Malini Jeevarathnam  was born in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu Ramanathapuram district. They studied Master's in Media Arts from Loyola College, Chennai and assisted Pa. Ranjit on his movie Madras (film) , and in 2016 film Aruvi , directed by Arun Prabu Purushothaman.[1][2]

Career[edit]

Inspired by Ranjith's progressive ideas and the support from the film crew, she decided to come out as a lesbian, a decision that profoundly influenced their personal and professional life.[3] They have done multiple short films around queerness in Tamil.

Ladies and Gentlewomen[edit]

With this motivation, they made their directorial debut with the 2017 documentary Ladies and Gentlewomen which talked about love, life, and suicide among lesbians. This venture was supported and produced by Pa. Ranjith.[4]

This documentary has received Best Documentary awards at the Norway Tamil Film Festival, nominated for an award at the Pune International Queer Film Festival Out & Loud, and received many other accolades around the world.[5][6]

Why So Straight?[edit]

Why So Straight is a short film that briefly explores the life of a queer artist named Ameya, from Pune. Despite its brevity, the film excels in instilling hope and showcasing sensitivity to uniqueness and gender fluidity.[7] Balancing love, celebration, and acceptance with pain, rage, and estrangement, it offers a nuanced portrayal of queer experiences.

The film premiered at Medai Stage in Chennai earlier this year during a private event organized by filmmaker and producer Pa Ranjith.[8]

In 2023, they had also launched their production house Veytikaari Productions.[9] In the same year, they also worked as a script consultant for Kaadhal Embadhu Podhu Udamai[10] which talks about a lesbian relationships.

Activism[edit]

They have been a vocal activist in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala queer activism spaces. They identify as gender fluid, non-binary person, and prefer they/them pronouns.[11] They have been part of multiple protests and panels in and around the country.[12]

Filmography[edit]

Actor[edit]

List of actor credits for Malini Jeevarathnam
Year Film Role Language Notes
2024 Inspector Rishi Chithra Tamil Web Series
2024 Love And Let Love No Dialogue Short Film

As director[edit]

Year Film Notes
2017 Ladies and Gentlewomen Documentary Films about love, life, and suicide among lesbians.
2022 Why So Straight? The story of a queer artist called Ameya Hemmadi.
2024 Kaadhal Embadhu Podhu Udamai Worked as a Script Consultant

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (18 January 2018). "Misconception that only cities have lesbian women: Malini on 'Ladies and Gentlewomen'". The News Minute. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Malini Jeevarathnam: On Self-respect, Queerness and Finding her Feet in Chennai". Silverscreen India. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  3. ^ Ayyappan, Aathira (30 October 2019). "Why does queer filmmaker Malini Jeevarathnam obsessively make movies on LGBT issues?". EdexLive. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  4. ^ Vijaykumar, Vaishali (7 September 2020). "Finding life in a Queer-friendly city". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  5. ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (18 January 2018). "Misconception that only cities have lesbian women: Malini on 'Ladies and Gentlewomen'". The News Minute. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Hearts that don't follow rules". The Hindu. 13 February 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  7. ^ Mirra, Jaya Gomathi (28 July 2022). "Neon Lights and a Revolution of Joy: On the documentary Why So Straight?". Cinema Express. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. ^ ""குயர் படங்கள் அடுத்த 10 ஆண்டுகளில் அதிகம் வரும்" - மாலினி ஜீவரத்தினம்". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil). Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  9. ^ Jain, Rupam (22 June 2023). "Ticket 9 — Queer Art Festival celebrates the Pride Month". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ^ Sundar, Anusha (28 June 2023). "Pride Month: Love, queer and beyond". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Chennai: She, he, ze, or xi? Pronouns make a difference". The Times of India. 21 October 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  12. ^ IANS (8 June 2023). "American Centre in Chennai to hold panel discussion on LGBTQI+ community on June 10". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
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