Love it or hate it, but you certainly can't ignore it. Dr. Santhosh Souparnika's "Ardhanari" definitely makes an impact on the audience. An unexplored theme, an acclaimed cast, a layered narration, meaningful songs and good technical assistance are the film's strengths.
 
 "Ardhanari" traces the life of a transgender named Vinayan (Manoj K. Jayan). The story begins with Vinayan's childhood days. The formative years shows a boy with a girl's sexuality, having the feelings and mannerisms of a girl. There are the inevitable teasing, snide remarks and comments. The confusions and persecutions that follow is heart rending. The lone promise of love from Balu Menon (Jayakrishnan) is a happy event for Vinayan. He is forced to flee

Star Cast:  Manoj K Jayan, Raju, Sukumari, Mahalekshmi, Jayakrishnan
DVD Features: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS, NTSC All Regions, English Subtitles
Producer:  M.G. Sreekumar
Screenplay: Sawpernika

"If not for Sreekumar, this film wouldn't have become a reality as he gave me complete freedom. Each time when I would ask him about the money, he would say not to worry at all. It has been released Friday in 39 theatres and the first reports are very encouraging and Sreekumar is the most happiest," said director Santhosh Sawpernika told reporters here.

It is very difficult to maintain a balance when you are telling a tale about marginalised people. Director Dr Santhosh Sowparnika tries to depict the life of a transgender in the Malayalam film Ardhanari.

We plunge into the life of Vinayan (Manoj K Jayan), a teenager who has got a male physique but female emotions. Obviously, this leads to ridicule, shame and snide remarks from his siblings.

Manoj K Jayan plays a transgender with conviction without reducing it to mimicry. But the storyline does not rise above the ordinary to give the character more substance than mere mannerisms.

After being shunned by a male lover and unable to bear more beating from elder brother, Vinayan leaves homes and finds refuge in a community of hijda in a temple town of Tamil Nadu. They live on their own rules and principles, and have elaborate rituals to take in a new member in their community.