Reading the Refracted Identity of Disability in Tripuri Cinema: Politics of Representation and Identity Negotiations

Disability has been primordially regarded as the marginalized ‘other’ necessitating its recontextualization within the socio-cultural sphere. Deeply ingrained traditional beliefs in Tripura perpetuate stereotypes and religious dogmas, wherein disability is often viewed as a punishment for past misdeeds or parental transgressions. Tripuri cinema, while often mirroring mainstream stereotypes, reflects unique socio-cultural and regional dynamics that shape its depiction of disability. However, despite the growing body of scholarship on disability representation in global cinema, there remains a notable dearth of literature examining how disability is portrayed within the confines of Tripuri mediascape. This chapter theorizes how the discourse surrounding disability in Tripura confronts ‘triple jeopardy’: the systemic marginalization of Northeast India, the otherization of disabled individuals, and the discrimination against ethnic minorities with disabilities caused by the construction of a unified identity. It begins by tracing the portrayal of disability in popular Hindi cinema, examining how dominant narratives rooted in pity, dependency, and moral redemption have influenced broader societal perceptions. It then transitions to exploring disability representation in Tripuri cinema, identifying both emulations of Bollywood tropes and moments of divergence. By analysing recurring tropes, themes, and identities in Tripuri films from the mid-2000s onward, this chapter sheds valuable light on the complexities of disability as an identity, addresses intra-community hierarchies, and emphasizes its universality as a human experience.