"A dilemma emerged on whether we should cast a transgender for 'Taali'" - Arjun & Kartk

It has been more than a month and a half since the web show Taali was released on JioCinema, but the accolades and appreciation for the show continue to pour in even today. Apart from having a towering performance in the form of Sushmita Sen, the show has been appreciated for its portrayal of transgenders and also presenting some path-breaking scenes.

However, making a show like this comes with its own set of challenges. In an exclusive conversation with us, we had the creators of Taali, Arjun & Kartik, who went on to talk about dealing with the dilemma of casting for Taali, the show's response and other things.

Q. What was the biggest challenge while making a show like Taali?

Some misconceptions still persist, suggesting that discussing body and gender neutrality remains a cultural taboo. However, we firmly believe that Shreegauri Sawant's remarkable life serves as an inspiration that the world ought to be informed about her fight for an inclusive society. During the casting for the character, a dilemma emerged regarding whether to select a transgender individual or not. It was then that Sushmita Sen came to mind, a choice we ultimately pursued. The widespread appreciation we received for Taali and Sushmita's portrayal affirms the correctness of that decision.

Q. Did you expect Taali to have such an instant and huge impact?

A- Experimental topics can be akin to a gamble in our industry. However, in this evolving landscape, today's audiences are increasingly informed and educated. They seek to stay updated on current events and prefer meaningful content over chaos. As creators, our greatest source of joy comes from seeing our content achieve the desired impact. We are deeply touched by the love and support we have received from audiences worldwide for Taali. Among the most valuable feedback we received was from members of the transgender community, who not only loved the series but also highly acclaimed it. This moment made us realise that we had indeed made the right choices.

Q. What are your upcoming projects?

We are going on the floor with our next series on the 6th of October. Last year, around the same time, we were shooting for Taali and Rafuchakkar, and both got a fab response, so we are very optimistic about this project as well. But that is all we can share about it as of now. 

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