Ojas Rajani defends Shankar, says he didn't offend transgenders

Even as Shankar versus the transgender community controversy continues to make news, coming to the defence of the filmmaker is artist Ojas M Rajani, who essayed an important role in the film.

Even as Shankar versus the transgender community controversy continues to make news, coming to the defence of the filmmaker is popular makeup artist Ojas M Rajani, who essayed an important role in the film.

Vikram-s-character-Lingesan-is-modelled-on-Arnold-Schwarzenegger-though-for-most-part-of-the-film-Vikram-carries-the-hunchbacked-look--I-VikramMovie-Facebook

Rajani says Shankar hasn't tried to offend the transgender community in his Tamil magnum opus I.

Shankar's portrayal of Ojas, a transgender, in his film attracted the wrath of a group of transgenders who have demanded a 'public apology' from the filmmaker after protesting in front of his residence Monday.

"Shankar didn't try to demean my character of a transgender. In fact, he shot it so aesthetically that it doesn't offend anybody, including the transgender community. It's just part of a story of the film and I requested everybody to not get offended," Ojas said in a statement.

In the film, Ojas lusts over actor Vikram. This had not gone down too well with many people.

I also stars Amy Jackson and Upen Patel.