Paper Title
QUEER REPRESENTATION IN ASSAMESE MOVIES: A LOOK AT JONAKIPORUA (FIREFLIES)

Abstract
Queer representation in Indian cinema has long been a site of tension, oscillating between caricature, silence, and rare glimpses of authenticity. While Bollywood has historically depicted queer identities in derogatory or comic light, regional cinema has occasionally offered nuanced portrayals that challenge heteronormative frameworks. Assamese cinema, though smaller in scale, has recently begun to engage with these themes, most notably through Prakash Deka’s directorial debut JonakiPorua (Fireflies). This paper explores how the film represents queerness through its protagonist Jahnu, who refuses to conform to binary gender roles and instead embodies an identity grounded in resilience, creativity, and community. Using a queer analytical framework, the study situates the film within the broader discourse of queer theory, Indian cinematic history, and the politics of representation. By doing so, it argues that JonakiPorua not only redefines the possibilities of Assamese cinema but also contributes to the ongoing struggle for visibility, recognition, and dignity for the transgender and queer community. Keywords - Assamese Cinema, Queer Representation, Transgender, Identity, Queer Theory