Margins and Mainstream: A Comparative Study of Transgender Representation in Pakistani Television and Cinema

Abstract

This article undertakes a comparative analysis of transgender representation in Pakistani mainstream television and alternative cinema through the case studies of Guru (2023) and Joyland (2022). Using representation theory and framing analysis, the study explores how costume, makeup, body language, camera techniques, and sound construct visual narratives of transgender identities across the two media. Findings reveal that Guru, produced for a mass television audience under censorship and cultural regulation, leans on stylized gender markers, exaggerated gestures, and externalized camera gazes that risk reinforcing stereotypes and social distance. In contrast, Joyland, operating within the cinematic medium and aimed at both local and international audiences, adopts an intimate visual language: naturalistic styling, empathetic close-ups, and performative dance sequences foreground individuality, vulnerability, and agency. The study argues that television, as a mainstream medium, tends to reinforce dominant cultural scripts, while cinema allows for more nuanced and humanized portrayals. By highlighting the role of the media in shaping transgender visibility, this article underscores the need for more authentic and inclusive representation within Pakistan’s mainstream media landscape.