Beyond the Ableist-Normative Boundaries: Unravelling the Representation of Disability and Sexuality in Margarita With a Straw

Through the study of Shonali Bose’s movie Margarita with a Straw, the paper examines the intersectionality of disability and sexuality. The research focuses on the character of Laila, a young woman with cerebral palsy, whose journey serves as the film’s central narrative arc. Laila’s exploration of her sexuality is intricately interwoven with her experiences as a person with a disability, which provides a unique lens to understand the complexities of disabled identity. The analysis delves into Laila’s challenges and triumphs, considering the impact of societal attitudes and cultural norms on the quest for her self-discovery. The study employs a qualitative approach to analyze the film’s narrative and character dynamics, seeking to unravel how disabled women are labelled as either asexual or hypersexual. This research underscores the significance of storytelling in fostering a more comprehensive understanding of diverse identities that opens avenues for discourse, challenging societal norms, and advocating for a more inclusive and empathetic approach to disability representation in films.