On October 6, actor Sushmita Sen dropped the first look from her upcoming film Taali, a biopic on Shree Gauri Sawant, the first transgender election ambassador. Sen is known for playing unconventional roles, it would be interesting to see how she would portray a prominent figure like Sawant on the big screen. However, it is disappointing to see Bollywood miss yet another opportunity to ask an actual trans person to play the role of a trans person, thus denying representation and work opportunity to an already marginalised community.
First Look Of Taali
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Sharing her look in a saree with a big round bindi, Sen wrote, “Taali - Bajaungi nahi, bajwaungi (I will not clap, but make others do it).”
She added, “Nothing makes me prouder and more grateful than to have the privilege of portraying this beautiful person and of bringing her story to the world!!”
She also wrote, “Here’s to life and everyone’s right to live it with dignity!!! I love you guys.”
Comments Poured On Social Media
Renee Sen, actor and daughter of Sushmita, congratulated her mother and wrote, “Maa (heart emojis) So so so so proud of you (heart emoji) Dugga Dugga. I love you the mostest.”
Actor Charu Asopa commented, “Wowww… First look is awesome.. so proud of you didi. Looking forward (to watching the film). Love you didi.”
Many celebrities like Ravi Jadhav, Shivohaam, Achint Kaur, Acharya Vinod Kumar and others commented on the post.
Who Is Gauri Sawant
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Gauri Sawant is a transgender activist. Born in Pune, Sawant always was prone towards what is deemed to be feminine tendencies. She kept her true identity locked away. Then one day she decided to transform to match her identity, and leave behind her assigned-at-birth identity. Hence, she adopted the name Gauri Sawant.
In 2001, Sawant adopted a girl whose biological mother was a sex worker. The young girl died fighting HIV. Later, she adopted a five-year old girl who was being forced into human trafficking.
In 2017, Vicks documented her journey showcasing love, a sense of family and care that goes beyond all gender and class norms.
Sawant was born to a police officer, making her family even more patriarchal. Her mother never wanted to bring her into this world. In an interview with YourStory, Sawant said, “She (mother) didn’t want me to come into this world, and even tried to get an abortion in the seventh month.”
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“But the doctor told her that this baby was now so evolved and strong that one couldn’t destroy her even if she were slammed against a wall. It was into such yes-and-no back-and-forth circumstances that I was born,” she added.
First Transgender Election Ambassador
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In 2019, the Election Commission of India (EC) appointed Gauri Sawant as one of 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra. She became the first from the LGBTQIA+ community to hold the position. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, she said, “I want to ensure that each of them goes and votes; not just housewives but also women who are sex workers and every transgender in this country.”
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“They’ve equal rights to have their say in the government they wish for. I got appointed for my work and not my gender,” she added.
Sawant runs a non-government organisation called Sakhi Char Chowghi. It provides healthcare services and spreads sexual awareness among people belonging to MSM and the transgender community.