STR 48 (tentative title) is an upcoming big budget historical film starring Silambarasan TR in dual lead roles. Latest update on this movie is that one of actor Silambarasan's characters is a transgender villain. Tamil cinema is not new to seeing lead star actors play transgender villains; Case in point actor Chiyaan Vikram as Love (She/Her) in Irumugan (2016). Silambarasan is probably the second lead to be following in Vikram's footsteps in imbibing the trans villain persona. 

Character artiste Prakash Raj is another actor from the Tamil film industry who famously played a trans-villain in the Prashanth lead Appu (2000). Among lead actors, Vijay Sethupathi has played a full fledged trans role but non-villainous in Super Deluxe (2019).

Jayam Ravi on the other hand played a lipstick wearing effeminate* villain in Ameerin Aadhi-Bhagavan (2013), but the sexuality of his character was shown to be a straight, for half his crimes were a result of passion towards his lady love in the movie. Similar to Iru Mugan and Aadhi Bhagavan, STR 48 features a good character and an effeminate/trans villain, both portrayed by the same main actor. 

*Jayam Ravi's effeminate villain character was different from Ajith's Bharathanatyam dancer character in Varalaaru (2006) or Kamal Haasan's Kathak dancer character in Vishwaroopam (2013)

Clockwise from left to right: Prakash Raj in Appu, Vikram in Irumugan, Vijay Sethupathi in Super Deluxe, Silambarasan TR in STR 48, Ajith in Varalaaru, Kamal Haasan in Vishwaroopam, Jayam Ravi in Aadhi Bhagavan

Hot Buzz: Simbu will be playing dual roles as both hero and villain in the upcoming movie "STR 48," with one of the roles being a transgender character.#STR48 #STR #Simbhu pic.twitter.com/hDQuZ0k28g

— MovieCrow (@MovieCrow) March 11, 2024