Fans are raving about Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” for its thrilling motion sequences and poignant revenge storyline, however for LGBTQ South Asians, the movie holds a selected significance.

The movie contains a transgender girl character, in addition to India’s numerous third-gender, or “hijra,” neighborhood.

On his journey to get revenge on the corrupt guru and police chief who killed his mom, Patel’s character “Kid” is saved by Alpha, a transgender girl and hijra neighborhood chief. Other trans characters featured all through the movie finally change into allies to Kid, rising in colourful saris and masks to battle alongside him throughout an epic battle scene.

“This is an anthem for the underdog, the voiceless, the marginalized,” Patel mentioned in an interview with Variety. “I really wanted to include the hijra community, the third gender in India. … You look at the old carvings in these temples in India and the freedom, the sexuality, the philosophy, all of it, was so ahead of its time.”

Hijras have a protracted historical past in South Asia, however in right now’s India they’re often demonized and denied entry to work and good housing. Reports on their illustration in media have discovered that they’re often portrayed as villains, victims or comedian relief.

Fans on social media praised the inclusion.

“MONKEY MAN is an incredible action film featuring INDIAN TRANS PEOPLE as a major part of the plot! I can’t stop screaming it from the rooftops! Dev Patel ilysm,” one fan mentioned.

Others mentioned they cherished that members of the hijra neighborhood have been represented as fighters towards evil and corruption.

“Just watched ‘Monkey Man’ and loved the representation of the Hijra, India’s third gender people. They were badass!” one other viewer mentioned on X.

Indian actor Vipin Sharma, who performed Alpha, told Variety he painted his nails and grew out his hair for the position. He described the care Patel put into creating the character.

“I am a male; he saw me as a female character, which was quite amazing actually, that he saw something about me that he thought I will be good to play this role,” he mentioned.