Queering the Narrative: Emily's path through Fluidity in Aruvi

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of fluid identity through the character of Emily in the Tamil film Aruvi (2016). Fluid identity refers to the idea that identity is not fixed, but rather, continuously evolves and adapts across contexts, resisting rigid categorisations of gender, sexuality, class, or cultural boundaries. Rooted in postmodern and queer theories, fluid identity challenges the essentialist notions of identity and instead embraces flexibility, multiplicity, and hybridity. In the context of neo-colonialism, fluid identity becomes a form of
resistance to the dominance of Western-centric, homogenising forces that seek to impose uniform identity constructs onto diverse, non- Western cultures. Neo-colonialism often reinforces binary and rigid categories, marginalising those who live outside these structures. Emily, a key figure in Aruvi, is a striking portrayal of fluid identity in contemporary Indian cinema. Her character disrupts traditional gender roles, embraces androgyny, and navigates various intersections of class and marginalisation. In Emily, we see an
embodiment of the struggle between local identities and global, neo- colonial influences, as she defies categorisation and embraces a self that is continually in flux. This paper argues that Emily’s portrayal of both a personal journey of self-acceptance and a broader critique of society’s rigid structures reflects how fluid identities confront and resist neo-colonial power dynamics. Through an analysis of Emily’s narrative and the film’s cinematic techniques, this paper seeks to demonstrate how Aruvi offers a powerful commentary on the fluidity of identity in a world still shaped by colonial legacies.