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

 

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?
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
Join us as Faraz inspires us with their stories, challenges stereotypes, and pushes boundaries to make Indian cinema more inclusive.
&nbsp;
Learn more about the Godrej DEI Lab and our work at <a href="https://www.godrejdeilab.com/">https://www.godrejdeilab.com/</a>.
&nbsp;
Our Guest:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/faraz-arif-ansari-62b87657/">Faraz Arif Ansari</a>
&nbsp;
Find the Lab on social media:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/godrejdeilab/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/godrej-dei-lab/?originalSubdomain=in">Linkedin</a>
&nbsp;
Email us at <a href="mailto:godrejdeilab@godrejinds.com">godrejdeilab@godrejinds.com</a> / <a href="mailto:contact@maed.in">contact@maed.in</a>
&nbsp;
This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at <a href="http://www.maedinindia.in">www.maedinindia.in</a>
Creative Director: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Head of Audio Production: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amadnessepidemic/">Meghna Gulati</a>&nbsp;
Sound Editing &amp; Mixing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar/">Nihar Temkar</a>
&nbsp;

India Included by the Godrej DEI Lab focuses on how diversity, equity and inclusion is helping us reimagine work and workplaces in India. Hosted by Parmesh Shahani, each episode features changemakers transforming corporate spaces, redefining accessibility, challenging cultural narratives, and advocating for inclusivity in business and work.

They talk about the daily work of overcoming structural barriers, the future of doing better business, creating space for yourself and others, viewing accessibility as innovation, and harnessing cultural representation for real change. We’re striving for an India where everyone can prosper, because everyone belongs – and we want you to join us.

India Included by the Godrej DEI Lab focuses on how diversity, equity and inclusion is helping us reimagine work and workplaces in India. Hosted by Parmesh Shahani, each episode features changemakers transforming corporate spaces, redefining accessibility, challenging cultural narratives, and advocating for inclusivity in business and work.
They talk about the daily work of overcoming structural barriers, the future of doing better business, creating space for yourself and others, viewing accessibility as innovation, and harnessing cultural representation for real change. We&rsquo;re striving for an India where everyone can prosper, because everyone belongs &ndash; and we want you to join us.

India Included by Godrej DEI Lab

India Included by the Godrej DEI Lab focuses on how diversity, equity and inclusion is helping us reimagine work and workplaces in India. Hosted by Parmesh Shahani, each episode features change-makers transforming corporate spaces, redefining accessibility, challenging cultural narratives, and advocating for inclusivity in business and work.

They talk about the daily work of overcoming structural barriers, the future of doing better business, creating space for yourself and others, viewing accessibility as innovation, and harnessing cultural representation for real change. We’re striving for an India where everyone can prosper, because everyone belongs – and we want you to join us.

India Included by the Godrej DEI Lab focuses on how diversity, equity and inclusion is helping us reimagine work and workplaces in India. Hosted by Parmesh Shahani, each episode features change-makers transforming corporate spaces, redefining accessibility, challenging cultural narratives, and advocating for inclusivity in business and work.
They talk about the daily work of overcoming structural barriers, the future of doing better business, creating space for yourself and others, viewing accessibility as innovation, and harnessing cultural representation for real change. We&rsquo;re striving for an India where everyone can prosper, because everyone belongs &ndash; and we want you to join us.

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