Miss Trans Pakistan Shyraa Roy’s film ‘Sanak’ to release in September

Miss Trans Pakistan, Shyraa Roy is set to release her first psychological thriller, ‘Sanak’, in which she also essays the lead role.

Roy revealed that establishing her acting career in Pakistan as a transwoman was quite difficult, huddled with challenges, threats and trauma.

“For a transwoman, it’s easier to become a model than an actor or producer, especially if she has a feminine figure, however, the film industry is a completely different ballgame. When I started to produce films, I struggled to find sponsors and often relied on my own money. Honestly, it wasn’t an easy job as everyone in the industry is hell-bent on pushing you down,” shared Roy.

She highlighted how with every new step in her career, life became much tougher. “Men couldn’t digest that a woman, a transwoman was trying to become a producer! I still remember standing in queues for hours, with so many rejected presentations; modelling was much simpler as I was only required to pose for the camera.”

The actor also discussed her struggle to get roles in Pakistani films and dramas. She expressed, “When I started my role as a mainstream artist, I always used to be asked about my gender. The casting directors often questioned, ‘Should we give you the role of a man or woman?’ And I answered a woman, of course but unfortunately, they never quite understood this concept.” Roy would then state a rather hard-to-digest but true parallel, “If Sushmita Sen can play a transwoman’s character, then why can’t we play a woman in films?”

Speaking about the plot, Roy said, “The film is about a fanatic named Zafar Minhas who would do anything to acquire his love’s attention, who is a popular actor called Samaira Khan. Although he’s one amongst millions of fans, what makes him special is his fixation on the star which drives him to do anything to have her, even kill people.”

‘Sanak’ is directed by Hassan Fareed and expected to release globally on Friday 29th September 2023.