Despite India’s rich cinematic legacy, trans actors have remained largely sidelined- confined to stereotypical roles or erased entirely from stories that are, in fact, their own.
This powerful panel flips the script, placing trans voices at the center of the conversation on representation in Indian entertainment. Bringing together trans performers, filmmakers, and activists, the discussion delves into the systemic barriers that persist, the fight for authentic casting, and the urgent need for inclusive storytelling. From indie films to mainstream Bollywood and the booming world of streaming platforms- what does true representation look like, and who gets to define it? As India’s storytelling landscape continues to evolve, this is not just a call to make room- it’s a rallying cry to pass the mic to trans actors who are breaking ground and demanding change.

Panelists: A Revathi, Faraz Ansari, Lauren Robinson, Trinetra Haldar
Moderator: Nishtha Nishant
Supported by: Keshav Suri Foundation

LGBTQ+ youth in India face disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts—driven by stigma, discrimination, and the pressure to hide their identities. This panel brings together queer voices, mental health professionals, and grassroots organizations to explore how we can build affirming, accessible, and community-rooted mental health support. From lived experiences to policy shifts, we’ll discuss what it takes to break the silence, challenge systemic barriers, and create spaces where queer youth can truly thrive.

Panelists: Sulagna Chatterjee, Yadnya Ankita, Pallari Gajaria
Moderator: Richa Vashista

As conversations around gender and sexuality gain momentum in India, mainstream pop culture is beginning to reflect this shift, slowly moving away from caricatures and silences toward more nuanced and humanized portrayals of LGBTQ+ lives. There’s a visible, though still evolving, effort to bring queer narratives to the forefront. This panel will explore how Indian cinema, and digital platforms are shaping public perceptions breaking taboos, and challenging long-held stereotypes—while also reflecting on the journey ahead for truly authentic and inclusive storytelling.

Proposed Panelists: Onir, Rajshri Deshpande, Satya Rai Nagpaul
Moderator: Ashish Sawhny

KASHISH Pride Film Festival has emerged as a renowned platform for showcasing diverse LGBTQ+ narratives from around the world. Each year, the festival welcomes a vibrant gathering of emerging filmmakers who come to KASHISH not only to present their films and participate in post-screening Q&As, but also to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful networks that may shape their future journeys. KASHISH also provides scholarships to some of the emerging Indian filmmakers that enable them to attend the festival and engage with the community. In this candid conversation with a few of these filmmakers, we explore what drives them to tell these stories against all odds, what showcasing their work at KASHISH means to them, and what lies ahead in their creative journeys.

Panelists: Aditav Dowerah, Shoi, Joey Kaushik, Chandradeep Das, Saikat Mondal, Ronit Singha, Ritik Mehta, Kriti Edwankar
Moderator: Sagar Malkar
Supported by: Whistling Woods International

LGBTQ+ communities in India continue to grapple with high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts—driven by societal stigma, exclusion, and the constant pressure to mask their true selves. For those living with HIV, these struggles are compounded by persistent prejudice and misinformation, despite ongoing efforts toward awareness and inclusion.
This panel brings together a diverse mix of queer voices across generations, mental health experts, and grassroots organizations to reflect on how we can build mental health support that is inclusive, accessible, and rooted in community care. Through lived experiences and policy perspectives, we’ll explore what it takes to challenge deep-seated stigma, transform systems, and create environments where queer individuals—especially youth—can feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Panelists: Vinnie Gollar, Urmi Jadhav, Sagar Kadrekar
Moderator: Monika Agarwal
Supported by: MHI Initiative and Keshav Suri Foundation