Interview with Farah Rustom

Monika: Thank you, Dr. Farah Rustom, for joining me today. Your life is an incredible testament to resilience, artistry, and the power of self-expression. From your pioneering work in Western classical music to your remarkable journey as a transgender woman, you’ve touched many lives and made a lasting impact. I admire you greatly, not only for your professional achievements but also for your courage and trailblazing path in the transgender community. As a fellow transgender woman, I deeply respect how you’ve paved the way for others like me, and I’m honored to be able to speak with you today. You are also the author of Becoming Farah: A Life in Bombay, 1943 to 1986, a biographical book published in 2023, where you share deeply personal reflections on your journey, your childhood in Bombay, and your transition. It’s a moving and powerful portrayal of your life and experiences. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation!

Farah: Hello Monika! Thank you for having me.

Interview with Namitha Marimuthu

Monika: Today I have invited an inspirational woman from India. Namitha Marimuthu is a top model, artist, beauty pageant queen, actress, and transgender activist. She was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She is Miss Trans Queen India 2018, Miss Trans Star International 2019, and Pageant Director of Miss Trans Star India 2021. Namitha is also known for her role of Priya in Naadodigal 2 by Samuthirakani (2020). Hello Namitha!

Namitha: Monika, you have given me an amazing introduction. Lots of love to you, Sister. 

Monika: How are you doing these crazy pandemic times?

Namitha: I’m really scared for India right now. We are in the top two of all countries in the world with the Covid-19 crisis today. We have been experiencing many deaths and such a loss for families and friends. We will still survive and I request each of you to get tested before vaccination. And please get vaccinated along with your family and friends. Stay home, stay safe India. 

Monika: It is always fascinating for me to talk to sisters from different continents, especially so talented as yourself. How did you start modeling?

Namitha: Initially I was really a lost person with no real meaning in life, especially after getting a legal separation from my parents when I was 19. Furthermore, when I reached adulthood, my weight was 120 kg. I started working out really hard to make a real transformation. After 2 years of hard work I lost more than 60kg!

Interview with Bishesh Huirem

She walks with grace, dreams with courage, and speaks with the quiet strength of someone who has fought to live her truth. Bishesh Huirem is not just a beauty queen, a celebrated model, and an accomplished actress, she is a symbol of resilience and elegance for India’s transgender community. Hailing from the culturally rich region of Manipur, Bishesh was drawn to the world of pageantry and performance from a young age, embracing the glamour of the stage while holding fast to her roots and humility. In 2016, she made history as the first Indian transgender woman to represent the country at the Miss International Queen pageant in Thailand, dazzling audiences not only with her beauty, but with her warmth, poise, and unwavering spirit.

 

Her path, however, was not without challenges. Behind the glittering gowns and spotlight was a young woman navigating the deep complexities of identity, tradition, and acceptance, both in her family and in Indian society. Through it all, Bishesh has remained grounded in her belief that being transgender is not a limitation, but a divine difference, a "true gender," as she puts it. Whether she’s walking a runway, gracing the silver screen, or simply wearing her favorite white tee and denim shorts, Bishesh radiates authenticity. Her voice carries a message of hope to countless transgender girls: embrace who you are, fight for your dreams, and never let anyone dim your inner light. It is with admiration and heartfelt joy that I introduce my interview with this remarkable Meitei Nupi, a complete Manipuri woman and a luminous soul.

Interview with Tista Das

Tista Das is an Indian actress, social activist, transgender advocate, and an enduring symbol of empowerment and choice for the transgender community in India. Her story begins with the dreams of a little girl who longed to see herself on screen, identifying with the grace and strength of heroines like Suchitra Sen and Sharmila Tagore. As a child she would imitate their expressions and movements, all the while carrying within her the prayer that one day her body and soul would be aligned. That prayer eventually became a lived reality, and her journey from a young dreamer to a woman celebrated for her authenticity has inspired countless people. Her film career has brought her into collaborations with renowned directors and storytellers, including I Could Not Be Your Son, Mom, directed by Sohini Dasgupta, and Subrata Dutta’s The Third Gender, a poignant exploration of love, identity, and societal resistance. In Beyond Reflections, directed by Umesh Bist, her own life took center stage in a moving account of her determination to live authentically despite the many challenges placed before her. These projects stand not only as artistic achievements but also as milestones in the ongoing fight for visibility and representation of transgender people in cinema.

Interview with Kalki Subramaniam

Kalki Subramaniam is a vibrant force in the world of transgender rights, art, and activism, a true trailblazer from Tamil Nadu, India. She’s a storyteller at heart, weaving her fierce spirit into everything she does: from founding the groundbreaking Sahodari Foundation that champions transgender visibility and empowerment, to publishing Sahodari, the first Tamil magazine created by and for transgender women. Born in the small town of Pollachi, Kalki was always a bright student, holding two master’s degrees, in Journalism and International Relations, yet her real education came from living her truth in a society that often struggles to accept difference.

 

For over a decade, Kalki has blended activism with creativity, using art, film, and literature to tell stories that most wouldn’t dare tell. She made waves as the lead actress in the Tamil film Narthagi, breaking barriers as one of India’s first transgender women to star in a mainstream movie. More than just an artist and activist, Kalki is an entrepreneur with a heart, her projects often center on uplifting underprivileged transgender women, helping them find a voice and a livelihood. Her journey is about more than personal triumph; it’s about opening doors for others, challenging norms, and creating spaces where transgender people can thrive with dignity. Meeting Kalki feels like sitting down with a wise sister who’s lived through fire and come out shining, with stories that inspire courage and a vision that promises change.

Interview with Aneesh Sheth

Aneesh Sheth is a radiant force in the world of film, theatre, and activism, a woman whose journey is as courageous as it is inspiring. Born in Pune, India, and raised in New York City, Aneesh blends the richness of her Indian heritage with the vibrancy of American arts. She began performing at the tender age of seven, and over the years, carved a path for herself as an actress of grace and depth. You may recognize her from her roles in Outsourced, My Inner Turmoil, and Arbore, where she brought both authenticity and heart to the screen. But Aneesh is much more than her filmography. She is a passionate advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to challenge stereotypes and uplift her community. Her work with organizations like The Trevor Project and The Stigma Project speaks volumes about her commitment to saving lives and changing minds. 

 

Aneesh also made history by co-hosting The TransView, one of the first web-shows centering trans voices, proving she’s as comfortable at the mic as she is under stage lights. Her artistic talents are matched by her elegance, intelligence, and fierce compassion. Whether portraying the complexities of trans identity onstage, or mentoring others through their own transitions, Aneesh is driven by love, empathy, and a vision for a world where everyone can live as their most authentic self. Today, she lives in Seattle with her husband and continues to pursue bold, meaningful work in both performance and advocacy. It is my absolute pleasure and honor to bring you this conversation with Aneesh, a woman of beauty, strength, and unstoppable spirit.