When a panel of judges struck down Section 377 on September 8, 2018, non-binary filmmaker, Faraz Arif Ansari was busy baking a cake. “My birthday is on the 7th of September, and I have a ritual of baking a cake for myself every birthday. I was in the middle of baking when I found out about the verdict, and I was elated,” they say.
It’s been three years since this monumental verdict. But has India’s queer community learned to be inclusive? “Some people in the community are Islamophobic, femme phobic, and transphobic. My own identity lies at the intersection of these dimensions. I have often been asked to ‘tone down’ my Muslim identity but why? Personal experiences trickling into art will always be more impactful than some Wikipedia level of research,” says Ansari. For them, it’s important to connect to their audience through stories of hope, faith, and humanity. Ansari’s latest film, Sheer Qorma, starring Swara Bhasker, Divya Dutta, and Shabana Azmi explores the love between a non-binary person and a lesbian in a Muslim household. The heart-warming film has won multiple international accolades, including the Frameline Film Festival, which qualifies them for the BAFTA awards.
THE BIG PICTURE
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Grazia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Grazia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Under The Needle
With filler-face phasing out, we are embracing the natural aesthetic but not how you might expect it
BUILDING A LEGACY
Driven by passion and a commitment to quality, this brand is making a mark in the luxury furniture market with a perfect blend of local artistry and global design
A WALK DOWN FIFTH AVENUE
From high fashion to historic landmarks, this coffee table book explores how Fifth Avenue became the heartbeat of New York's cultural and social scene
NO SEX, MO' PROBLEMS?
At a time when sex seems to be everywhere, women are experiencing a dip in their sexual desires. We find out why
MORE THAN IT SEAMS
Who says lace can’t be hewn from leather? Or that paper can’t sit on the body like a weathered old sweater? In a time of rampant production and boundless creativity, is material the final frontier for designers? When all else seems lost to the algorithm, fashion’s deceptive ingenuity requires us to look a little closer
TABLE FOR ONE, PLEASE
In a world obsessed with couplegoals, here’s why taking yourself out for a date might just be the ultimate love story
THE DREAM CANVAS
In the city that wholeheartedly embraces its role as a global cultural hub, the second edition of Art Mumbai promises to redefine creativity and innovation
SPRING FORWARD
Of hits, misses, and everything in between this season at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI
LUST-WORTHY LUXURY LABELS
To Light Up This Wedding Season
ICONIC DESIGN MEETS A MOBILE FUTURE
The new Dell XPS is designed for new age content creators and suave C-suite
