Watch: Sushmita Sen portrays the resilient transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in ‘Taali’

The series will release on Independence Day

Bollywood actor and former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, is once again set to captivate audiences with her portrayal of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in Taali. The teaser for the series, released on Saturday, provides a glimpse into the inspiring life of the activist. Directed by the National Award-winning Ravi Jadhav and produced by Arjun Singh Baran, Kartk D Nishandar, and Afeefa Nadiadwala, Taali is all set to premiere on August 15.

The teaser opens with Sen, as Sawant, donning a sari and adjusting her big bindi as she gazes at herself in the mirror. The scene sets the stage for what promises to be an emotional and transformative journey. The clip further showcases members of the transgender community paying their respects to Sawant, implying how significant her contributions have been to the recognition of the third gender in India.

Sawant's life story is one of struggle, resilience, and triumph. Born in Pune, she made a courageous decision to leave her home during her teenage years to avoid disappointing her father, a police officer. She went on to establish the Sakhi Char Chowghi Trust in 2000, an NGO that provides counselling for the transgender community and advocates for safe sex practices.

Sawant's relentless efforts led her to become the first transgender activist to file a petition in the Supreme Court, fighting for adoption rights for transgender individuals. Her involvement in the landmark NALSA case in 2014 eventually resulted in the Supreme Court recognizing transgender individuals as the third gender.

Sen’s portrayal in the teaser displays a strong and fierce persona that captures the essence of Sawant’s journey from her college days to her groundbreaking activism.

Speaking about her role as Sawant, Sen expressed gratitude for being a part of this transformative journey. “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 reasons multifold, and I’m really excited to associate with Viacom18 for this one. This is just the beginning, stay tuned for what’s in store,” she wrote. 

Director Jadhav, known for his outstanding contributions to the Marathi film industry, brings his expertise to Taali. With a background in critically acclaimed films like Natarang and Mitraa, Jadhav's direction is expected to add depth and authenticity to Sawant's narrative.

Taali promises to be an emotional rollercoaster, shedding light on the struggles faced by the transgender community and the remarkable efforts made by individuals like Sawant to bring about positive change.