‘In Transit,’ an Amazon docu-series, offers a unique perspective on the transgender community by giving them direct access to the narrative. The series allows transgender individuals to speak for themselves, without any external commentary.
This straightforward approach is the strength of ‘In Transit,’ allowing the subjects to share their experiences directly.
Rather than focusing on the typical ‘understanding’ narrative, the series presents the transgender experience directly. ‘In Transit’ moves away from the conventional attempts to ‘understand’ marginalized communities, instead acknowledging their desire for acceptance.
Producers Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, along with director Ayesha Sood, introduce voices within the trans community rarely showcased in mainstream media. These are the less-heard voices, not the ones that dominate the news cycle. They don’t shout; they are listened to.
A notable aspect of this series is its avoidance of self-pity. The subjects are shown to be resilient individuals determined to lead lives aligned with their authentic selves, prioritizing human connection and understanding.
A highlight is the story of a woman who wanted to be a man who found a creative way to avoid marriage, utilizing patriarchal illustrations to get their point across.
Although the series doesn’t shy away from the hardships these individuals face, including bullying and discrimination, it also showcases the compassion they encounter.
‘In Transit’ offers a hopeful perspective, celebrating ‘otherhood’ with empathy. The interviewees display a clear understanding of their personal journeys. One trans-woman (Madhuri) finds happiness in marriage with her straight boyfriend. ‘In Transit’ gives us hope that there would be more such safe landings for the turbulent community.
