KIFF gives Bonnie a 'jadoo ki jhappi'

KOLKATA: On Tuesday, life came full circle for former Bengal footballer

Bandana Pal aka Bonnie

. The city, which had witnessed him getting ruthlessly bashed up for being a transman, gave him a jadoo ki jhappi after the screening of the documentary on his life at the on-going Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). An elated Bonnie said he couldn’t have asked for more.

In 1997, a national championship for women’s football was held at Haldia where Bonnie’s (then Bandana) golden goal had helped Bengal win the final. However, Bandana’s life had changed ever since she failed the “sex test” before the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. A sex reassignment surgery later transformed her to a man but left him without home or career. Bonnie took to idol-making for a living and got married to Swati. But societal abuse continued.

Early on Tuesday morning, Bonnie reached Sisir Mancha for the screening of the documentary titled “I Am Bonnie”. “I was initially apprehensive about whether or not I will be able to make it to the screening. Currently, I am a daily wage-earner and wasn’t sure that I would get leave from work. Thankfully, arrangements were made. Along with my wife Swati, I came for the screening. I also got along my cousin - Nayan Pal - in whose factory I work,” he said.

Tuesday’s screening and the overwhelming response of the audience left Bonnie teary-eyed. “The city which was once so cruel to my gender identity crisis is now accepting me with open arms. I see this as a big change. Kolkata has finally given me a jadoo ki jhappi. I sincerely thank KIFF for screening this film,” Bonnie said.

Directors of “I Am Bonnie” - Farha Khatun, Satarupa Santra and Sourabh Kanti Dutta - are happy that Bonnie made it to KIFF. “I saw Bonnie and Swati getting mobbed. The response was really touching,” Dutta said. Before leaving Kolkata for his home in Gobardanga, Bonnie said, “I don’t know if cinema can change my life. I don’t know if I will ever get a government job. But I am returning home a happy man.”