Taali: Sushmita Sen to Play Trans Activist Shreegauri Sawant

Sushmita Sen dropped the poster of her upcoming film Taali- Bajaungi Nahi, Bajwaungi in which she will essay the role of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant.

Sen shared the first look of the film on her Instagram handle and wrote: "Taali! बजाऊँगी नहीं, बजवाऊँगी !(I won't clap but will make others do so) #firstlook as #ShreegauriSawant. Nothing makes me more proud and grateful than to portray this beautiful person and bring her story to the world! Here's to life & to everyone's right to live it with dignity! I love you guys."

The announcement saw mixed reactions. While some loved Sen’s look in the film, a few have lamented that a trans actor was not considered for the part. “I think it's high time now, transwomen should also be given a chance to perform... instead of taking a female actor a transgender person should perform this role,” said theieltstrainer, an educational consultant on Instagram.

Speaking about the movie, Sen said, "(It's) a story of struggle, resilience, and indomitable power, that's Shreegauri Sawant for you. Nothing makes me more proud and grateful than to bring this journey that has been rife with challenges, only to witness a revolution! This one is special for many reasons. This is just the beginning, stay tuned for what's in store."

Born and raised in Pune, Shreegauri Sawant is a transgender activist who is now based in Mumbai. She was one of the petitioners of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) which was filed in 2013, in which the Supreme Court recognised transgender as the third gender in its final verdict in 2014.

The biopic is created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D. Nishandar, directed by National award-winning director Ravi Jadhav, and produced by Arjun Singgh Baran, Kartk D Nishandar and Afeefa Nadiadwala.