Mumbai – May 29, 2025: The press conference for the 16th edition of the Kashish Pride Film Festival was held today at the Mumbai Press Club, bringing together prominent voices from the Indian film and LGBTQIA+ communities to speak passionately about the importance of inclusive storytelling and the evolving role of queer cinema in society.

In attendance were members of the Festival’s Advisory Board, including celebrated filmmakers Aruna Raje Patil and Onir, and Viveck Vaswani. Members of the Narrative Jury – acclaimed directors Tanuja Chandra, Shishir Sharma, and actor Shruti Seth—joined the conversation alongside the Documentary Jury, featuring activist and filmmaker Bishakha Datta, director Prateek Vats, and film director Shubhra Chatterji. Representing the Student Jury was actor Siddharth Menon, who added the youth perspective to the rich dialogue.

Sridhar Rangayan, founder and Festival Director of Kashish, set the tone for the conference with a powerful message: “Kashish has always been about creating a safe and celebratory space for queer stories to be seen and heard. In a world that’s increasingly polarized, cinema becomes a powerful equalizer—one that opens minds and hearts. We are proud to be a platform where love, identity, and resilience take center stage.”

The event saw impassioned statements from the Advisory Board, with Aruna Raje Patil emphasizing, “It’s important to communicate—and one of the best ways to do that is through films that celebrate diversity and familiarize us with the queer world.”

Onir urged the mainstream industry to open its doors wider: “Mainstream cinema must acclimatize itself to queer narratives if we want meaningful change.”

Viveck Vaswani added, “We must visibly support queer cinema. It’s not just about representation—it’s about making space, providing resources, and celebrating these voices wholeheartedly.”

The Narrative Jury highlighted the artistic and emotional power of the festival’s selection. Tanuja Chandra praised the range and depth of films, particularly those centered around trans narratives: “These aren’t just important for the cause—they are genuinely beautiful films. I learned so much as a director. Justice and equality are never outdated concepts. Nature doesn’t discriminate—human beings do.”

Shruti Seth brought warmth and honesty to the conversation:

“Love equals peace. Love equals everything. If you love people and you love cinema, you should be at Kashish.”

She also spoke about the emotional weight of family rejection: “When your primary support system doesn’t accept you, it can scar you deeply. People must be willing to step out of their comfort zones to understand another’s truth.”

Shishir Sharma emphasized the urgency of normalizing queer stories: “It’s essential to include queer films in the repertoire. Cinema has the power to challenge and change entrenched beliefs.”

The Documentary Jury reflected on the emotional and political charge in this year’s lineup. Bishakha Datta noted, “These films, while often painful, are also full of joy—they’re about resilience and finding chosen families. There’s incredible bravery in standing up and saying, ‘I matter too.’”

Prateek Vats said, “In a world where hatred is sold as currency, we must make love and inclusivity our currency. These films force us to rethink what family means today.”

Shubhra Chatterji applauded the experimentation in form and technique, adding, “Despite pervasive censorship, we still have a resounding voice. These films are a beacon of hope.”

From the Student Shorts Jury, Siddharth Menon offered a refreshing take: “There’s no difference between queer and straight cinema—good storytelling is universal.” As the conference drew to a close, a unifying message echoed throughout: stories can change the world. They can shift perspectives, challenge taboos, and affirm the simple truth that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and loved.

The Kashish Pride Film Festival will continue to showcase powerful LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world, creating not just a cinematic experience, but a movement grounded in empathy, justice, and pride.