The 17th edition of the KASHISH Pride Film Festival, held from June 3 to 7, was not only about films but also about conversations that explored identity, community, care and cultural memory. This year, the festival added the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai to its venues, alongside Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise, creating a new space for dialogue beyond the screen.
Key Conversations at the Festival
One of the highlights was the fireside chat titled 'Care, Chaos & Coexistence: Breathing Freely and With Equality' featuring Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen and National Award-winning filmmaker Miriam Chandy Menacherry. Inspired by Sen's documentary 'All That Breathes', the discussion focused on themes of care, solidarity, belonging, and the importance of creating spaces for free expression.
Sen remarked, "It is incredible that a community has come together for the past 17 years to make this happen." Menacherry added, "Filmmakers often look to premiere at top festivals, but it is at smaller festivals that films and filmmakers receive the care they deserve and where important work gets noticed."
Documentary Jury and Awards
Sen served on the festival's documentary jury alongside Jaydeep Sarkar and Monisha Thyagarajan, selecting winners in the Unity in Diversity Best Documentary Feature and Documentary Short categories. He stated, "I am honored and excited to be on the KASHISH film festival jury. I have loved many of the films that have played here in recent years and deeply admire the international breadth of films programmed this year."
Celebrating Chapal Bhaduri
Another standout event at NGMA was the screening of 'Performing the Goddess: Chapal Bhaduri's Story', followed by a conversation between author Shobhaa De and author-journalist Sandip Roy. The session celebrated the life of Chapal Bhaduri, a legendary Bengali theatre artist known for portraying female characters in Jatra, challenging gender norms long before mainstream discourse.
De expressed her enthusiasm: "I am so happy to be a part of South Asia's largest LGBTQ+ film festival. I'm fascinated by Chapal Rani, who spent 30-35 years playing iconic female roles in Jatra to nearly 20,000 audience members, with both men and women falling in love with him." She quoted Bhaduri, "Men make the best woman," and added, "I couldn't agree more!"
Intimate Glimpses into Bhaduri's Life
Roy shared stories from his book and personal conversations with Bhaduri, offering insights into his deep affection for his longtime lover and his present life in an old-age home, where attendants remain excited to meet him. He also recounted how actress Moon Moon Sen's visit brought joy to the veteran performer, highlighting his enduring admiration across generations.
Preserving Queer Histories
Through discussions on cinema, literature, performance, and lived experience, the sessions underscored the importance of preserving queer histories and celebrating artists who have broadened society's understanding of identity, expression, and culture. The conversations brought alive the festival's theme, 'Reflect, Resonate, Rejoice', reaffirming KASHISH's commitment to fostering dialogue beyond cinema and creating meaningful cultural spaces where films, ideas, and communities intersect.
