Throughout Indian film history, many filmmakers have been privately and secretly queer. Generations of movies, arts and entertainment have depicted LGBTQIA+ lives either for comedy or featuring queer people on the margins as villains or tragic figures. So who tells our stories, and what kind of characters get to be included in those stories? When those stories change, does it mean that the status quo is changing?

In this episode, Parmesh Shahani is in conversation with Faraz Arif Ansari, an award-winning filmmaker known for deeply personal and pioneering works like Sisak and Sheer Qorma, about whether the representation of historically excluded groups can actually change culture.

Faraz shares their journey from growing up on 1990s Hindi cinema to making independent films that center queer and Muslim identities. They delve into the challenges of representation in cinema and advertising, the transformative impact of films like Sisak, and their initiative to empower queer and trans actors. Faraz also gives us a peek behind the scenes of their film, Bun Tikki, and discusses why inclusive storytelling is vital for social and economic progress.

Join us as Faraz inspires us with their stories, challenges stereotypes, and pushes boundaries to make Indian cinema more inclusive.

Learn more about the Godrej DEI Lab and our work at https://www.godrejdeilab.com/.

Our Guest:

Faraz Arif Ansari

Find the Lab on social media:

Instagram

Linkedin

Email us at godrejdeilab@godrejinds.com / contact@maed.in

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio Production: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati 

Sound Editing & Mixing: Nihar Temkar