Faridabad, March 11, 2025: The fourth edition of TRANSaction, a free acting workshop for India’s transgender and queer community, successfully concluded at The Lalit Suri Hospitality School in collaboration with the Keshav Suri Foundation. Led by acclaimed filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari, the three-day workshop (March 6-8, 2025) provided a transformative space for over 20 queer aspiring actors, equipping them with essential skills to carve a space for themselves in cinema and theatre.
Designed to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and LGBTQIA+ representation, TRANSaction 2025 offered participants hands-on training in performance techniques, character development, and industry insights. The workshop fostered artistic expression while reinforcing confidence and self-empowerment among queer actors.
Faraz Arif Ansari, known for their pioneering work in inclusive storytelling, guided participants through intensive acting exercises, live performances, and interactive discussions. This year’s edition featured two distinguished guest speakers: Mohit Tiwari, a Delhi-based photographer and filmmaker amplifying marginalized narratives, and Anureet Watta, an internationally recognized filmmaker and screenwriter. Their insights inspired participants, reinforcing the importance of authentic queer representation in media.
Participants engaged in voice modulation, body language training, improvisation, and scene study, with role-playing and collaborative performances helping them refine their craft. Beyond technical skill-building, the initiative cultivated a strong sense of community, ensuring that transgender and queer individuals had access to professional training without financial barriers.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Keshav Suri, Founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation, shared:
“The magic of storytelling lies in authenticity, and there’s no one better to tell queer stories than queer people themselves. TRANSaction is more than an acting workshop—it’s a movement to ensure our narratives shine in all their brilliance on screen and stage. Bollywood, take notes—the future is unapologetically queer! A huge thank you to Faraz Arif Ansari for collaborating with us year after year, strengthening this initiative and amplifying the voices that deserve to be heard.”
“What started as a simple yet urgent need—to create a space where trans and queer individuals could explore, express, and hone their craft—has now evolved into something far greater: a movement. A movement that insists on representation not as a favour, but as a necessity. TRANSaction has been my brainchild, but no movement succeeds in isolation. It has flourished because of the unwavering support of Keshav Suri and the incredible Keshav Suri Foundation, which has not only championed diversity and inclusion but has actively worked to mainstream queerness with such love and authenticity. Keshav and his team have never been passive allies—they have been co-conspirators in change, ensuring that queer voices don’t just exist in the margins but take centre stage.
As Keshav so beautifully put it, “The future is unapologetically queer!”
To every single participant who has been a part of TRANSaction so far—You have made this space what it is—a sanctuary of self-expression, resilience, and art. Thank you for trusting this platform, for sharing your vulnerabilities, for creating magic. And now, as TRANSaction expands to more Indian cities, I could not be more excited. We are reaching new communities, new talents, new stories waiting to be told. There are queer artists in every corner of this country, brimming with brilliance, simply waiting for an opportunity. Our industry—our world—has for far too long overlooked these voices. Not anymore. This is just the beginning. Here’s to a future where our narratives aren’t just included but celebrated. Where queer stories aren’t just told but told by us. Where the industry doesn’t just watch from a distance but welcomes us in, knowing that the stories of tomorrow will be richer, deeper, and more powerful because of our presence.’ Said Faraz Arif Ansari.
With industry networks opening up and queer-led storytelling gaining momentum, TRANSaction 2025 proved to be a groundbreaking experience for emerging LGBTQIA+ actors. The success of this edition further cements the workshop’s role in fostering a new generation of queer artists ready to take centre stage. Stay tuned for future editions that continue to champion queer narratives and talent in the performing arts.
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
