KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 Opens with Powerful Conversations on Queer Joy, Visibility, and Representation

KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 Opens with Powerful Conversations on Queer Joy, Visibility, and Representation The 17th edition of KASHISH Pride Film Festival – South Asia’s Biggest and India’s first mainstream LGBTQ+ film festival – is celebrating June Pride Month with on-ground from June 3–7, 2026 across three South Mumbai venues — the iconic Liberty Cinema throughout the festival, along with Alliance Française de Bombay and the newly added National Gallery of Modern Art from June 4–7.   Founded in 2010, and earlier known as KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, and now as KASHISH Pride Film Festival since 2024, it was the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. It has risen to become South Asia’s Biggest Film Festival. It was also voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festivals in the World by Movie Maker magazine.  And recently named one of the "Top 15 International Film Festivals Worth Travelling The World For" by Travel & Leisure magazine!   A press conference was held to introduce the festival on 28th May 2026, where festival directors Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta welcomed their esteemed guests to share a few words regarding their involvement. Reflecting on Queer Storytelling Through This Year’s Festival Line-Up Filmmaker Sai Deodar introduced her film Na Aavadti Goshta, sharing that the project emerged from a desire to spark conversations around LGBTQ+ identities within Indian families. She noted that even in progressive homes, queer relationships are often met with silence rather than dialogue, and wanted to create a warm, accessible film families could watch together. Emphasising that “love is the most universal emotion,” she said the film hopes to gently normalise queer love across generations. Filmmaker Rohan Kanawade spoke about Sabar Bonda, a tender romance between two men set during a ten-day mourning period in a village. While rooted partly in his own experiences of returning to his father’s village and navigating conversations around marriage, he described the film as ultimately being about intimacy, longing, and emotional honesty. Kanawade shared that audiences — including many heterosexual viewers — connected deeply with the love story, adding that he was especially excited to screen the film before a packed 1000+ theatre audience for the first time. Filmmaker and actor Ashish Sawhny discussed his documentary The Sailor and the Chef, which follows an older gay couple who met by chance at a movie theatre more than three decades ago, long before apps, support systems, or visible queer networks existed. He explained that he was drawn to stories of older LGBTQ+ individuals whose resilience and courage often go unrecognised. Reflecting on his own journey with nonfiction cinema, Sawhny described filmmaking as both a personal and political act shaped by family values rooted in honesty and social consciousness. Advisory Board Members Celebrate KASHISH’s Legacy of Inclusion Members of the KASHISH advisory board reflected on the festival’s long-standing role in building visibility, empathy, and community through cinema. Veteran filmmaker Arunaraje Patil reflected on her long association with KASHISH and praised the festival’s spirit of acceptance and inclusivity. Speaking about the power of cinema to challenge prejudice and encourage empathy, she described KASHISH as a celebration of life itself and congratulated the organisers for steadily building it into such a meaningful cultural platform. Actor and media personality Dolly Thakore spoke affectionately about her years with KASHISH, calling the festival “family.” She reflected warmly on the many friendships she has built within the queer community and expressed admiration for the openness, warmth, and connection she has experienced through those relationships, while extending her continued support to the festival and its organisers. Meghna Ghai Puri spoke about her decade-long association with KASHISH and the meaningful partnership the festival shares with Whistling Woods International. Highlighting the school’s experience welcoming its first transgender student from the KASHISH community, she described the student as both a gifted filmmaker and an inspiring representative for the cause. Meghna stressed the importance of spaces like KASHISH in encouraging young filmmakers to tell deeply personal stories and called for stronger institutional and financial support for such initiatives. Delivering one of the evening’s most impassioned speeches, Viveck Vaswani traced KASHISH’s journey from an educational support platform to a globally recognised film festival. He described its evolution in three stages — education, enlightenment, and now empowerment — arguing that the next chapter must focus on helping queer individuals take up leadership roles and participate fully in public life. Vaswani repeatedly stressed the need for financial backing and corporate support, arguing that KASHISH is far more than a film festival: it is a vital platform for community-building, visibility, and long-term social change. Jury Members Highlight the Importance of Inclusive Storytelling Members of this year’s jury panels reflected on storytelling, representation, and the growing responsibility of the entertainment industry to create more inclusive spaces. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, reflecting on storytelling as both a responsibility and a purpose, spoke candidly about reassessing the kinds of stories she wanted to tell after the passing of her mother, and returning to more socially conscious narratives similar to Nil Battey Sannata. In a deeply personal moment, she also shared her pride when her daughter independently chose to research digital spaces for transgender communities as part of a school project. Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani praised KASHISH for championing deeply personal storytelling and giving filmmakers the freedom to be emotionally vulnerable through their work. Reflecting on how audience sensitivities around LGBTQ+ representation have evolved over the years, he acknowledged that many portrayals once normalised in mainstream cinema would no longer feel acceptable today. Speaking about projects like Mumbai Diaries, Advani explained how productions now actively involve community consultants and sensitivity advisors to ensure more authentic and respectful representation, while also stressing the need for the mainstream industry to financially support queer cinema and independent voices. Filmmaker Jaydeep Sarkar spoke about the political and emotional significance of KASHISH at a time when queer identities continue to be marginalised globally. Reflecting on growing up without queer representation in cinema, he said the festival offers audiences “different possibilities of happiness” and expands conventional ideas of love, joy, and connection. For Sarkar, KASHISH is not simply a film festival, but a sharing of queer joy, imagination, and possibility. Actor Rajshri Deshpande emphasised the importance of taking conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion beyond metropolitan spaces and into smaller towns, tier-3 cities, and villages across India. Drawing from her own experiences growing up outside big cities and working closely with rural communities, she expressed hope that festivals like KASHISH could create greater awareness and acceptance across the country. She also encouraged stronger corporate support and shared her enthusiasm for helping the initiative expand its reach. Ashish Sawhny also reflected on the legacy of his grandmother, legendary writer Ismat Chughtai, whose groundbreaking 1942 story Lihaaf explored lesbian desire and faced severe backlash and censorship. He shared how her courage shaped his own journey toward coming out decades ago and stressed that diversity and inclusivity must move beyond token gestures to become genuine industry practices. Sawhny added that queer communities possess immense artistic potential, and that mainstream spaces only grow richer when LGBTQ+ voices are welcomed fully. Student Jury Members Speak About Representation and Access Members of the Student Shorts Jury reflected on why meaningful representation and institutional support remain essential for the future of queer cinema. Filmmaker Shazia Iqbal, who is part of this year’s jury panel, was not present at the press conference. Actor Maanvi Gagroo spoke about how meaningful it felt to join the KASHISH jury, describing the festival as a space that practices genuine inclusivity rather than symbolic diversity. Reflecting on her earlier experiences attending the festival and working on projects such as 377 Ab Normal, she spoke about the importance of listening to marginalised voices and creating equal space for them. She also noted the deep connections between women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights, describing both as struggles against similar systems of discrimination. Rahul Puri spoke about the need to create stronger pathways for queer filmmakers to move beyond the festival circuit and into the mainstream film industry. Drawing from his work at Whistling Woods International, he highlighted the increasing number of LGBTQ+ students eager to tell deeply personal stories through cinema, praising both their originality and honesty. Puri emphasized that educational institutions and the industry alike must actively support inclusive storytelling so that these films are able to reach audiences far beyond niche spaces. The press conference concluded with a shared sense of optimism and urgency around the future of queer storytelling in India. As the festival enters its 17th edition, the conversations at the press conference reinforced a collective call for greater inclusion, stronger institutional support, and more opportunities for LGBTQ+ voices to thrive both within and beyond the film industry.

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New Poster of Pan India Film “Nagabandham” Unveiled Ahead of July 3 Worldwide Release Warriors, Saints and Secrets: “Nagabandham” New Poster Builds Massive Buzz , The makers of the upcoming Pan India film “Nagabandham” have unveiled a striking new poster ahead of its grand worldwide release on July 3. Filled with mystery, intensity and larger-than-life visuals, the poster hints at an epic cinematic world where every face hides a story and every shadow protects a secret. Bringing together the aura of warriors, wanderers, saints and survivors, the latest poster offers a powerful glimpse into the intriguing universe of “Nagabandham”. The visually rich frame has already started creating excitement among movie lovers and fans on social media. With its mythic undertones, dark fantasy elements and grand scale presentation, “Nagabandham” promises to deliver a visually spectacular theatrical experience. The film’s promotional material has consistently generated curiosity, and this latest poster further adds to the anticipation surrounding the project. Produced by Abhishek Nama and Kishore Annapureddy, the film stars Virat Karna, Nabha Natesh, Rishabh Sawhney, Ishaa Menon, Daksha Nagarkar, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Jagapathi Babu, Garuda Ram, Kochu Preman, Kiara Khanna, Abhe and Junaid Kumar in key roles. “Nagabandham” is all set for a grand worldwide theatrical release on July 3.

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Abhishek Singh Rajput Wins Praises as Aadi in Comedy Movie Jeena Dil Se Mumbai, 29th May 2026 – Director Adhish Rana’s musical comedy Jeena Dil Se has officially arrived in cinemas nationwide today. Following a packed industry premiere on the eve of its release, the film is already picking up great word-of-mouth as a breezy, light-hearted family entertainer. But among the large ensemble cast, actor Abhishek Singh Rajput is quickly emerging as a major crowd favorite for his breakout comedic performance. Playing the role of ‘Aadi’, a carefree, travel-loving Casanova tour guide, Rajput brings a very natural charm to the screen. Instead of over-the-top acting, he relies on effortless physical comedy and situational humor, becoming the driving force of the film's funniest moments. At Thursday night’s premiere, his comic timing was a clear hit, leaving the theater echoing with genuine laughter. For the Bhopal-born actor, this release is a deeply personal milestone. Having moved to Mumbai six years ago, Abhishek has built his filmography from the ground up through years of auditions and quiet hustle. While he recently showcased his acting range in the blockbuster Stree 2 and the intense digital series Swipe Crime, Jeena Dil Se finally gives him the platform to let loose and take center stage in an out-and-out commercial comedy. "There is honestly no feeling quite like sitting in a dark theater and hearing a room full of people genuinely laugh at a scene you performed," shares Abhishek Singh Rajput. "Comedy is a very tricky space because the audience's reaction is instant, they either laugh or they don't. Seeing our industry peers and early audiences connect so warmly with Aadi’s antics last night felt like the biggest reward for all the years of hard work. We just wanted to make a film that helps people forget their stress for a couple of hours, and the love we are seeing today confirms we achieved exactly that." As the film opens to the public today, the strong positive response is setting a great tone for the weekend. For audiences looking for a stress-free, laugh-out-loud cinematic experience, Abhishek’s portrayal of Aadi is definitely a character to watch out for. ###

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*What made the champions say yes to Sitaare Zameen Par? They share their most heartwarming behind-the-scenes memories ahead of the World Television Premiere on Sony MAX* *Mumbai, May 29, 2026:* Ahead of the much-awaited World Television Premiere of Sitaare Zameen Par on Sony MAX on 31st May at 1 PM, the film’s beloved champions open up about the fun-filled journey that made the experience so special for them. From unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments to the warmth, laughter, and family-like bond they shared on set, the cast reflects on what truly made them say “YES” to the film and why the story continues to stay close to their hearts. For many of the champions, the warmth on set made all the difference from day one. *Ayush Bhansali, who plays Lotus in the film,* recalled how nervousness quickly disappeared the moment he stepped onto the set, _“On the first day of the shoot, I was very anxious and curious because I was meeting so many new people. But surprisingly, everyone welcomed me with hugs and smiles. It instantly made me feel at home, like I was part of one big family. That positive vibe made every day feel happy and exciting.”_ The film’s fun-filled environment also created some unforgettable memories during the shoot. Recalling one of the most surprising moments, *Ayush* added, _“We were casually chatting during the shoot when suddenly Shah Rukh Khan came on set! I was shocked and kept wondering, ‘What? Shah Rukh Khan? Where did he come from?’ We all ran to meet him, hugged him, and he was so warm and entertaining with all of us. He kept cracking jokes and making us laugh. It was honestly one of the best days of my life.”_ The atmosphere of love and encouragement soon turned into a “joy zone” where every day began with laughter, energy, and endless affection. *Gopi Krishnan Varma who plays Guddu in the film* spoke about some of the funniest scenes they filmed together. _“The lift scene where I pushed Aamir Sir was very funny. And then there was the bathing scene with Chooha ji that was unforgettable!”_ What stood out the most for the champions, however, was the bond they shared with Aamir Khan throughout the journey. Despite being one of the biggest stars in the country, the cast says Aamir made everyone feel equal and comfortable on set. *Gopi* added, _“Aamir Sir is a super actor. He is very talented, but with us, he was just like a friend. Super cool.”_ The two-year-long journey of training, workshops, basketball practice, and shooting eventually became a life-changing experience for the cast. *Ashish Pendse, who plays Sunil Gupta in the film* said, _“We all worked very hard for the film, but they say if the beginning is good, everything becomes easier. No matter how many retakes happened, our energy never went down because there was always masti and excitement on set. Sometimes we would meet Shah Rukh Khan Sir, and sometimes we would simply have fun with Aamir Sir. We never realised how these two years passed by so quickly. The love, applause, and appreciation we received after the film released made us extremely happy. More than anything, this film spread awareness and gave such a beautiful message to audiences.”_ As Sitaare Zameen Par gears up for its World Television Premiere on 31st May at 1 PM on Sony MAX, these heartfelt stories from the champions offer audiences a glimpse into the genuine love, friendship, and joy that made the film so special both on and off screen. _Watch the World Television Premiere of Sitaare Zameen Par on Sunday, 31st May at 1:00 PM only on Sony MAX_

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*“Zindagi Khatam Nahi Hoti” Rajeev Khandelwal’s Powerful Words After Hearing Bhuj Earthquake Survival Story* *XX May 2026, Mumbai:* In the upcoming episode of *Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar* , the viewers shall experience and learn about the emotionally saddening story of one of the contestants of the show, Dipti. Dipti recalls the trauma she and her then newly married husband faced during the Bhuj earthquake which occurred in 2001. Her husband, barely constraining his tears, then revealed how the destruction had taken an emotional and physical toll on people, the steps their family had taken post disaster, and how they restarted their life from scratch. As the episode goes ahead, Rajeev Khandelwal himself gets emotional and asks Dipti’s husband, “Shunya se wapis khada karna, usme jo himmat jutani padti hai, usme unn baate ko piche rakhna padta hai, jo loss hua. Misaal hai apne aap mai. Waha se khada karna aur yaha tak pahuchna, vo uss samay kya thana tha, kya socha tha, ki kaha se shuru karu?” With sadness and a hint of pride, her husband replies, “ _Ham Gujarati, Kutchhi logo ka ek hai ki, chooth gaya toh theek hai, varna wapis ham khada kar denge. Vo himmat hai hamare mai.”_ Upon this, Rajeev Khandelwal shares similar views. He states his life’s philosophy, saying, _“Agar hamne khada kiya hai toh hamse agar voh cheein bhi liya jaaye, toh hamme itni kabiliyat honi chaiye dobara khada kare”_ In the midst of the sad environment, Dipti proudly says, _“Aaj tak show pe sunte aa rahe ki husbands bolte hai, ‘Tum ho isiliye ham hai’. Aaj main bolna chahungi, ‘Aap ho isiliye ham hai’.” Rajeev Khandelwal further adds “ Aapne bahot logo ko himmat di hogi ye bata ke ki Zindagi khatam nahi hoti. Aant life mai sirf ek baar hota hai. Lekin tab tak haar aant life ki ek nayi shuruwat hota hai.”_ The emotional moment then took a heartfelt turn, when Rajeev Khandelwal called Dipti and her husband up on the stage and urged them to hug each other. “Aap logo ka pal hai ye. Main chahata hu, ki aap ek dusre ko gale lagale”, says Rajeev Khandelwal. Upon the emotional and heartwarming hug, Rajeev Khandelwal added, “Agar aise kuch ho bhi jaye, toh uska saamne iss jasbe ke saath karna chaiye, jis jasbe ke saath inhone kiya”. This story shares the importance of having a strong willpower, hope and courage, which lets people get through such tough and difficult phases of life. Dipti and her husband’s story beautifully left not just the stage, but everyone present, deeply emotional and inspired. _*Watch Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar, hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV*_

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Asha Parekh Revisits Golden Memories of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle on Indian Idol XX May 2026, Mumbai: The upcoming episode of Indian Idol will celebrate the golden era of Hindi cinema with Asha Parekh making a special appearance and contestants presenting unforgettable songs picturized on Rajesh Khanna. Contestant Ankita Mahua Giri gave a phenomenal performance on ‘Suno Sajna’ , originally sung by music legend Lata Mangeshkar. Asha Parekh ji couldn’t stop herself from remembering Lata ji as she recalled one of her interviews. Asha ji also expressed how grateful she feels to have performed on songs sung by both sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Asha Parekh said, “Unhone kisi interview mein yeh kaha tha ke yeh gaana mere liye sabse mushkil gaana tha kyun ki unki jo murkhiyan jo thi woh bohot hi lambi thi aur high sur mein gaaya hain toh mujhe khudko lipsync karne mein thodi takleef hoti thi, issi taraf Asha ji sabse difficult gaana woh khud keh rahi thi woh tha Karvaan ka ‘Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi’ bohot difficult, dono beheno ka yeh gaana. Main bohot lucky thi ki mere liye yeh dono gaane, jo mushkil gaane the woh mere naseeb mein tha.” (In one of her interviews, she had said that this song was the most difficult one for her because the vocal runs were very long and it was sung in a very high pitch, so even I found it a little difficult to lip-sync to it. Similarly, Asha ji herself said that her most difficult song was ‘Daiya Re Daiya Main Kahan Phasi’ from the film Caravan it was extremely challenging. These songs by both the sisters were very difficult, and I feel very lucky that both of these challenging songs were destined for me.) The episode not only pays tribute to the timeless legacy of Rajesh Khanna but also brought alive beautiful memories associated with the iconic songs and voices that made his and Asha Parekh’s films unforgettable. Don’t miss this special episode of Indian Idol, airing every Saturday and Sunday on Sony Entertainment Television and streaming on SonyLIV.

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Sakshi Tanwar celebrates the spirit of Ghar Ki Superstars for the show Tum Ho Naa on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV PROMO LINK: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY1bOqcBs6J/?igsh=ZWV2djI0djhqNGdt 28th May 2026, Mumbai: Building on the immense love that Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar continues to receive from audiences across the country, Sony Entertainment Television has unveiled a heartwarming new promo featuring acclaimed actress Sakshi Tanwar alongside host Rajeev Khandelwal. The promo beautifully shines a spotlight on the unsung women of every household, the quiet forces who hold families together with endless care, resilience, and selfless love. Known for portraying some of Indian television’s most iconic and relatable characters, Sakshi perfectly embodies the emotional essence of the show as she celebrates the women who effortlessly juggle responsibilities, make countless sacrifices, and become the emotional backbone of their homes without ever asking for recognition. In the promo, Sakshi Tanwar says, “Ghar ki lifeline ho, hero maker, budget, management, adjustment sab mein champion. Toh sirf gharwale hi kyun bole ‘Tum Ho Naa’, poore desh ko bolne do.” She further adds, “Rajeev, ghar ke superstars ko manch dene ke liye Thank you.” Responding to her emotional message, Rajeev says, “Pariwar chalane ka hunar, inaam aur naam dilayega. Ghar ki lifeline ke liye ab poora desh taali bajayega.” Echoing the spirit of the show, *Host Rajeev Khandelwal* shared, “I’ve always felt that gratitude and appreciation form the foundation of every relationship – a woman. That emotion lies at the heart of Tum Ho Naa, a celebration of those silent pillars who hold everything together without ever seeking recognition. Having Sakshi Tanwar join us for this special promo made it even more meaningful. Beyond being a phenomenal actress, her sincerity and warmth create an instant connection with people. It is truly heartening to see these everyday heroes finally receiving the love, respect, and applause they so genuinely deserve.” Watch Tum Ho Naa Ghar Ki Superstar, hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV Thank you!