During Pride Month 2024, we take a moment to revisit the impactful journey and candid insights of Rani-Ko-HE-Nur, as exclusively shared with Mid-day.com. With a name synonymous with power and grace, Rani-Ko-HE-Nur has transcended barriers and redefined stereotypes for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her narrative is one of perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering quest for representation.
Reflecting on her prolific career, Rani-Ko-HE-Nur remarked, “It’s been a while. This is my 18th year in the industry, and it doesn’t feel like it.” Over nearly two decades, she has witnessed a significant shift in entertainment, evolving from a film-centric avenue to the burgeoning dominance of television. Growing up, television was an integral part of her life, with icons like Achint Kaur, Nikki Walia, and Mandira Bedi captivating her. However, a stark gap persisted—she never saw someone like herself portrayed seriously on screen.
Rani-Ko-HE-Nur’s journey was fraught with challenges. “I never saw somebody like me doing serious stuff,” she recalled, highlighting the persistent underrepresentation of the LGBTQIA+ community, who were often reduced to subjects of ridicule rather than given substantive roles. This absence of representation was disheartening yet ignited her resolve to alter this narrative. “You can’t just feel bad about it and do nothing,” she emphasizes.
Pondering on the portrayal of LGBTQIA+ individuals in media, Rani elaborated, “I don’t know who it was funny for, really. It was quite embarrassing. Even for families to sit and watch together scenes depicting someone from the community being molested or mocked. It was just not cool. And I realized this was something I wanted to change.”
During the interview, she put forth an impassioned plea to renowned producer Ektaa Kapoor to incorporate a trans Naagin character into her popular franchise. “Because Naagins don’t have gender,” Rani argued. She gleefully added, “Ekta ma’am, I think it’s time. Because Naagin ki bal (power) bhi apne baalon (hair) mein hoti hai. Dekho kitne lambe baal hain mere. You can just imagine,” flaunting her luscious locks with a laugh.
Rani-Ko-HE-Nur’s belief that art transcends gender is a cornerstone of her philosophy. She shared, “Gender by itself is very fluid, and so is fashion. So is art. What is the gender of art?” This viewpoint pervades her work, which consistently challenges traditional gender norms. Her hit song, “Pari Hu Main,” though not explicitly a transgender anthem, resonated widely, surpassing many mainstream tracks during its trend cycle.
Navigating the digital realm as a trans individual presents its unique set of challenges, notably the prevalence of online trolls. Rani confronted this issue with forthrightness: “They don’t know what to say. If somebody calls me derogatory names, I ask them, ‘haan kya ho gaya? Bolo na.’ They’re at a loss for words. And I’m like, exactly. So what else? You don’t tell me what I am.
. I know what I am.”
Rani also highlighted the societal evolution over the decades, stating, “That would have hurt somebody in the nineties. Today you have us in politics, education, healthcare, the arts, representing our country internationally, several times over, speaking the way we speak in multiple languages, sitting with our dignity and our integrity and our pallu in its place.”
Reflecting on her time in showbiz, Rani reiterated, “This is my 18th year in the industry, and it doesn’t feel like it.” She witnessed a considerable transformation in entertainment mediums, from the dominance of films to the rise of television. She admired TV stars like Achint Kaur, Nikki Walia, and Mandira Bedi, yet the glaring absence of serious representation for individuals like her on screen remained a poignant issue.
The path she trod was anything but smooth. “I never saw somebody like me doing serious stuff,” she recalled. This consistent lack of representation often relegated LGBTQIA+ community members to the peripheries, not allowed substantive roles. “You can’t just feel bad about it and do nothing,” she asserts emphatically.
Discussing the often misguided portrayal of her community, Rani expanded, “It was quite embarrassing. Even for families to watch scenes depicting someone from the community being molested or mocked. It was just not cool. And I realized this was something I wanted to change.”
In her conversation, Rani reiterates her call to Ektaa Kapoor to introduce a trans Naagin. “Because Naagins don’t have gender,” she reasons. “Ekta ma’am, I think it’s time. Naagin ki bal bhi apne baalon mein hoti hai. You can just imagine,” she joked, flaunting her long, beautiful hair.
Rani-Ko-HE-Nur argues vehemently that art transcends gender. “Gender by itself is very fluid, and so is fashion. So is art. What is the gender of art?” This perspective is unmistakable in her work, which disrupts conventional gender narratives. Her song “Pari Hu Main” exemplifies this, commanding considerable attention and acclaim, despite not being explicitly a transgender anthem.
Facing trolls online is another significant hurdle. “They don’t know what to say. Somebody calls me names, and I challenge them, ‘haan kya ho gaya? Bolo na.’ They’re left speechless. So what else? You don’t tell me what I am. I know what I am,” she declares.
Highlighting broader societal changes, Rani notes, “That would have hurt somebody in the nineties. Today, we excel in politics, education, healthcare, the arts, representing our country internationally multiple times over, speaking multiple languages with dignity and integrity.”
With Pride Month 2024 as the backdrop, Rani-Ko-HE-Nur’s reflections reveal an intricate tapestry of struggles and triumphs, underpinned by a relentless pursuit of representation and authenticity. Through her work, she continues to inspire and pave the way for a more inclusive future in entertainment and beyond.
