News
November 26, 2025
A Family Drama Over Gender in “Holy Curse”
In Snigdha Kapoor’s short film, an Indian preteen’s queerness is treated as something to be ritually cleansed—with unpredictable results.
Snigdha Kapoor’s new short film, “Holy Curse,” plunges viewers into the heart of a family grappling with a complex and deeply personal issue: a young child's gender identity. The film, set against the backdrop of traditional Indian culture, explores the devastating impact of societal pressures and familial expectations on a preteen struggling to express their true self.
The story centers around a young child whose journey of self-discovery is met with resistance and misunderstanding from their family. Instead of acceptance and support, the child's queerness is perceived as a deviation from the norm, a "curse" that needs to be eradicated. Driven by deeply ingrained beliefs and a desire to conform to societal standards, the family resorts to a ritual cleansing, a desperate attempt to "fix" what they perceive as wrong.
Kapoor's film masterfully portrays the emotional turmoil and vulnerability of the child as they navigate this challenging situation. The ritual, intended to purify and restore, becomes a source of further alienation and trauma. The film subtly critiques the damaging effects of imposing rigid gender roles and the consequences of denying individuals the freedom to embrace their identity.
“Holy Curse” isn’t just about the child's experience; it also delves into the motivations and internal conflicts of the family members. Kapoor explores the cultural and religious beliefs that drive their actions, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of tradition and acceptance. The film raises important questions about the role of family in shaping identity and the responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for children to explore who they are.
The unpredictable results of the ritual cleansing serve as a powerful turning point in the narrative. The film doesn't offer easy answers or simplistic resolutions. Instead, it invites viewers to contemplate the long-term consequences of suppressing individuality and the importance of empathy and understanding in navigating sensitive issues of gender identity. "Holy Curse" promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that sparks conversations about acceptance, tradition, and the power of self-discovery.
The story centers around a young child whose journey of self-discovery is met with resistance and misunderstanding from their family. Instead of acceptance and support, the child's queerness is perceived as a deviation from the norm, a "curse" that needs to be eradicated. Driven by deeply ingrained beliefs and a desire to conform to societal standards, the family resorts to a ritual cleansing, a desperate attempt to "fix" what they perceive as wrong.
Kapoor's film masterfully portrays the emotional turmoil and vulnerability of the child as they navigate this challenging situation. The ritual, intended to purify and restore, becomes a source of further alienation and trauma. The film subtly critiques the damaging effects of imposing rigid gender roles and the consequences of denying individuals the freedom to embrace their identity.
“Holy Curse” isn’t just about the child's experience; it also delves into the motivations and internal conflicts of the family members. Kapoor explores the cultural and religious beliefs that drive their actions, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of tradition and acceptance. The film raises important questions about the role of family in shaping identity and the responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for children to explore who they are.
The unpredictable results of the ritual cleansing serve as a powerful turning point in the narrative. The film doesn't offer easy answers or simplistic resolutions. Instead, it invites viewers to contemplate the long-term consequences of suppressing individuality and the importance of empathy and understanding in navigating sensitive issues of gender identity. "Holy Curse" promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that sparks conversations about acceptance, tradition, and the power of self-discovery.
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