Taali creators Arjun, Kartk break silence on casting Sushmita Sen instead of a trans actor as Shreegauri Sawant

The much-awaited series, 'Taali' featuring ex-Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, playing the role of a trans woman, Shreegauri Sawant, has been stirring up buzz on the internet for quite some time. The show's creators, Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk Nishandar shared their exhilarating experience of bringing this extraordinary narrative to life in an interview with Hindustan Times.

In the months leading to the show, they maintained a tight-lipped approach, releasing only a single poster of Sushmita, followed by a well-timed break before releasing the teaser and the trailer. The audience's overwhelming response to the teaser came as a pleasant surprise, exceeding the creators' expectations. " The response to the teaser has been mind-blowing. The positive response was unexpected," they said.

Sushmita Sen was the team's unanimous first choice for the protagonist's role. The actress took six months to soak in the script and the essence of her character, reflecting her meticulous approach and commitment to perfection. Her dedication to understanding the story and character raised many questions amongst the creators, leading them to ponder whether she would accept the role. However, her subsequent decision to come on board put their concerns to rest.

During the show's conception, Sushmita was the face they envisioned for the character of Shreegauri Sawant. When they shared this idea with Shreegauri herself, her excitement was palpable. "When we were writing also, we thought what if Sushmita plays this role? We have seen male actors playing transgender. Shreegauri is a beautiful woman. We thought of getting another male actor to play Gauri but it wasn't going well. One of the most beautiful, who is intelligent and also respected-Sushmita was it," the creators said.

Once they pitched the idea to Sushmita, they didn't approach any other actor. The actress thoroughly immersed herself in the project, replying to their messages, asking questions, and investing her time and energy into understanding the character. Embodying a transgender woman was a brave choice, requiring two hours of makeup every day, without prosthetics, to give her the desired look.

Creating a believable portrayal of a trans character is a delicate task, requiring careful attention to detail. The creators undertook exhaustive research to ensure authenticity, even in the smallest aspects, such as the way Sushmita's character would walk. They engaged in intensive training programs and held interactions with trans individuals, some of whom were also cast in the show. Their insights helped in accurately representing the transgender community's experiences, rituals, and conversion process.

The creators chose Shreegauri's story to shed light on the struggles and lack of recognition faced by the transgender community. They aimed to tell a human story, aiming for an authentic representation of the community rather than stereotypical, over-the-top portrayals. Their intention was to create content that audiences worldwide would appreciate, telling a positive and motivational story.

While casting Sushmita as the lead garnered much support, the 'Taali' them has also faced criticism and ire for not casting a trans actor in the lead role. In explaining their decision, the creators said that having a well-known face like Sushmita was necessary to draw global attention to their story. They emphasized their commitment to inclusivity by highlighting the casting of 2200 trans actors in various roles within the show. However, for the show's commercial success, they needed a renowned face like Sushmita for the lead.

"We had to have someone like Sushmita because we are not making a documentary. It's a story and we had to get someone people know and would travel the boundary for. It had to be someone exclusive who the world knows. That's the reason, Sushmita".

"It's not that we haven't cast trans people in the rest of the roles, you can see it in the show. Her whole team was from the community, from junior actors to others. But someone to portray Gauri had to be Sushmita. We made a commercial show. We are more than happy to cast a trans actor as a male or female in future".

The creators aspire to bring the stories and struggles of the transgender community to mainstream media. By casting a recognized actor like Sushmita, they hope to command global attention and inspire change in the perception and treatment of the transgender community in India and beyond.

"The main thing is how can we, as creators sell the story and get the whole world to watch it. This is why we have Sushmita. But we were very clear that we want to have trans actors too. They all have done a fabulous job in the show. You will find these questions all the time".

"Our main aim is to tell the story of Gauri and get the community to the mainstream. How you do it is to get a big actor. Nowhere except in India, trans people have to clap. They have always been sidelined and it's sad. Our show aims to bring change".