‘Fire' -side chat with internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta, and renowned actor and director Nandita Das.
Deepa Mehta and Nandita Das Engage in Captivating “Fire” Side Chat at KASHISH 2024 followed by the Premiere of ‘I Am Sirat’
The 15th edition of the KASHISH Pride Film Festival witnessed a historic and enthralling ‘Fireside' chat with internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta, and renowned actor and director Nandita Das. The event, held at Liberty Cinema on May 18th, 2024, was moderated by Dhamini Ratnam and supported by the Consulate General of Canada. This discussion marked 26 years since the release of Mehta’s groundbreaking film Fire and explored the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.
Adding to the festival’s highlights, KASHISH director Sridhar Rangayan’s film, Kuch Sapney Apne, was also showcased to an enthusiastic audience. The film, which explores the dreams and aspirations of LGBTQ+ individuals in contemporary India, was met with widespread acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and poignant performances.
Festival Director Sridhar Rangayan’s Film ‘Kuch Sapney Apne’ Also Receives Enthusiastic Response
Mumbai, May 18 th , 2024 – The 15th edition of the KASHISH Pride Film Festival witnessed a historic
and enthralling ‘Fireside chat with internationally acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta, and renowned
actor and director Nandita Das. The event, held at Liberty Cinema on May 18th, 2024, was
moderated by Dhamini Ratnam and supported by the Consulate General of Canada. This discussion
marked 26 years since the release of Mehta’s groundbreaking film Fire and explored the evolution of
LGBTQ+ representation in cinema.
More than 25 years ago, unaided by Twitter and Facebook, a film went viral in India. The fire was the first in mainstream Indian cinema to explore lesbian love. Released theatrically in 1998 in India, it introduced a taboo subject to the audience of the world’s largest film-producing and film-viewing nation. It became a sparking point for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and rally for equal rights. 26 years later, with homosexuality having been decriminalized and the struggle for marriage equality taking center stage, the fireside chat looked back and tracked forward the impact of films on equal rights movements. In a momentous conversation with the director and lead actor of the film Fire – Deepa Mehta and Nandita Das – with journalist Dhamini Ratnam, the chat also addressed the nuances of the documentary I am Sirat.
Deepa Mehta, reflecting on her journey, said, “From Fire to I Am Sirat, it has been a transformative experience. Both works question societal norms and advocate for self-determination. Engaging with the audience at KASHISH, with Nandita, felt like coming full circle. It is heartening to see the progress in LGBTQ+ representation, and festivals like KASHISH play a crucial role in this change.” Nandita Das shared her insights, stating, “Fire sparked a crucial conversation about LGBTQ+ issues in a time when such dialogue was virtually non-existent. Revisiting this journey at KASHISH, with Deepa, was profoundly moving. It reminded me of the power of cinema in driving social change and the importance of continuing this advocacy.”
The chat delved into the societal impact of Fire, the progress of LGBTQ+ rights in India, and the ongoing challenges faced by the community. The discussion also highlighted the themes of Mehta’s latest documentary, I Am Sirat, co-directed with Sirat, a transgender individual from New Delhi. The documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, has garnered international acclaim and resonated deeply with the audience at KASHISH. Adding to the festival’s highlights, KASHISH director Sridhar Rangayan’s film, Kuch Sapney Apne, was also showcased to an enthusiastic audience. The film, which explores the dreams and aspirations of LGBTQ+ individuals in contemporary India, was met with widespread acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and poignant performances.
Sridhar Rangayan expressed his gratitude, stating, “KASHISH 2024 has been a phenomenal success, and it is an honor to have presented my film alongside such powerful works like I Am Sirat. The overwhelming response to Kuch Sapney Aise reinforces the need for diverse narratives in cinema. We are committed to amplifying these voices and fostering an inclusive cinematic landscape.” The event concluded with a Q&A session engaging with the audience, addressing questions about their films, the state of LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of cinema in driving societal change. KASHISH 2024 has once again proven to be a vital platform for LGBTQ+ cinema, celebrating stories that challenge norms and advocate for equality. The festival continues to be a beacon of hope and progress for the LGBTQ+ community in South Asia and beyond.
http://mumaiqueerfest.com For more information, please visit- https://insider.in/event/kashish-pride-film-festival-2024-may15-2024
Adding to the festival’s highlights, KASHISH director Sridhar Rangayan’s film, Kuch Sapney Apne, was also showcased to an enthusiastic audience. The film, which explores the dreams and aspirations of LGBTQ+ individuals in contemporary India, was met with widespread acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and poignant performances.
More than 25 years ago, unaided by Twitter and Facebook, a film went viral in India. The fire was the first in mainstream Indian cinema to explore lesbian love. Released theatrically in 1998 in India, it introduced a taboo subject to the audience of the world’s largest film-producing and film-viewing nation. It became a sparking point for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and rally for equal rights. 26 years later, with homosexuality having been decriminalized and the struggle for marriage equality taking center stage, the fireside chat looked back and tracked forward the impact of films on equal rights movements. In a momentous conversation with the director and lead actor of the film Fire – Deepa Mehta and Nandita Das – with journalist Dhamini Ratnam, the chat also addressed the nuances of the documentary I am Sirat.
Deepa Mehta, reflecting on her journey, said, “From Fire to I Am Sirat, it has been a transformative experience. Both works question societal norms and advocate for self-determination. Engaging with the audience at KASHISH, with Nandita, felt like coming full circle. It is heartening to see the progress in LGBTQ+ representation, and festivals like KASHISH play a crucial role in this change.” Nandita Das shared her insights, stating, “Fire sparked a crucial conversation about LGBTQ+ issues in a time when such dialogue was virtually non-existent. Revisiting this journey at KASHISH, with Deepa, was profoundly moving. It reminded me of the power of cinema in driving social change and the importance of continuing this advocacy.”
The chat delved into the societal impact of Fire, the progress of LGBTQ+ rights in India, and the ongoing challenges faced by the community. The discussion also highlighted the themes of Mehta’s latest documentary, I Am Sirat, co-directed with Sirat, a transgender individual from New Delhi. The documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, has garnered international acclaim and resonated deeply with the audience at KASHISH. Adding to the festival’s highlights, KASHISH director Sridhar Rangayan’s film, Kuch Sapney Apne, was also showcased to an enthusiastic audience. The film, which explores the dreams and aspirations of LGBTQ+ individuals in contemporary India, was met with widespread acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and poignant performances.
Sridhar Rangayan expressed his gratitude, stating, “KASHISH 2024 has been a phenomenal success, and it is an honor to have presented my film alongside such powerful works like I Am Sirat. The overwhelming response to Kuch Sapney Aise reinforces the need for diverse narratives in cinema. We are committed to amplifying these voices and fostering an inclusive cinematic landscape.” The event concluded with a Q&A session engaging with the audience, addressing questions about their films, the state of LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of cinema in driving societal change. KASHISH 2024 has once again proven to be a vital platform for LGBTQ+ cinema, celebrating stories that challenge norms and advocate for equality. The festival continues to be a beacon of hope and progress for the LGBTQ+ community in South Asia and beyond.
http://mumaiqueerfest.com For more information, please visit- https://insider.in/event/kashish-pride-film-festival-2024-may15-2024
Comments
Post a Comment