Showing posts with label Sushant Divgikar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sushant Divgikar. Show all posts
By 2027, I’ll be comfortably and fully transitioned-Sushant Divgikar
4:39 PM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; August 3, 2026)
For years, Sushant Divgikar has been one of India's most visible voices for LGBTQIA+ rights and self-expression. In this deeply emotional interview, the singer, performer and activist opens up for the very first time about beginning her medical transition, months of consultations with doctors, starting hormone replacement therapy, and why this journey has been the greatest gift she has ever given herself. Excerpts...
You have spoken about living authentically for years, but choosing to medically transition is a tough and irreversible decision. What was the emotional journey that finally brought you to this moment?
I had been considering it for a very long time and was in talks with my doctors. The first thing I did was consult mental health professionals because these processes are irreversible, and I needed to know that I was absolutely sure. I am doing this for me, and I didn't want this big decision to be influenced by what people would think. After a lot of deliberation, my doctors told me I was ready for HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). They studied my behavioural patterns, my body and my hormonal profile. Once everyone gave me the green signal, I knew I was ready. I'm now about five months into hormone replacement therapy and so far, everything is going well.
You were planning to transition earlier, so what delayed the process?
There were multiple reasons. I was doing Thank You For Coming, and they wanted me to look like a man. I really felt very dysphoric. Honestly, this is the first time I'm sharing this publicly. I was supposed to transition in 2023, but I put it on hold because of the film. Then I had a couple of health scares. My liver and blood profile weren’t good, and I was diagnosed with anaemia and iron deficiency. So, I had to take a pause. When I finally got the green signal from everyone, I was the most ecstatic and said…let's do this. By 2027, I think I'll be comfortably and fully transitioned. I turned a year older on July 2 and this is probably the best birthday gift I could have given myself. I will be changing to Rani Sushant Divgikar. I will keep my birth name and surname as part of my name going forward because my parents named me Sushant and I will always be their Sushu and I will keep my name Rani because the people chose me as their queen and gave me so much love as Rani.
Many transgender people carry the weight of wondering, 'What if I had done this sooner?' Did you ever struggle with those thoughts, and how have you made peace with your own timeline?
I actually told my psychiatrist Dr Armaan Pandey that sometimes I feel I should have transitioned earlier. He said something beautiful. He told me, "The fact that you could live two genders in one life, how many people get to do that?" I completely agreed. I even told my mother jokingly that maybe my body would have been fitter had I transitioned younger. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been fitter or looked more gorgeous. I think it's this inner glow that's translating to my outer self. People like Saisha Shinde, who transitioned in her 40s, have shown us that it's never about age.
As a singer, your voice is more than just your identity. Was losing your voice ever one of your biggest fears?
That’s one thing I asked my doctor, whether my voice would change. A lot of people think estrogen changes your voice, but that's a misconception. When you transition from female to male, your voice changes because of the testosterone. But when it's from male to female, your voice doesn't change. I'm thankful because I would never want to lose this voice. God has given me this beautiful gift, and I want to keep performing till my last day.
What would you like to tell people who are contemplating transitioning?
I want the community to know one thing - it's never too late. Nobody's paying your bills. When you're lying on that hospital bed, whether it's for a surgery, a cancer scare or anything else, it's you. Even if there are people who love you, at the end of the day, it's your life. So do it for you. I just want to tell every person who's deliberating and contemplating transitioning - do it only and only for you, and do it at your own time.
What changes have you experienced over the past few months, both physically and emotionally due to your hormone replacement therapy?
My breasts are growing. The testosterone blockers bring my testosterone levels almost down to zero, and I take estrogen tablets every day. When your body is introduced to estrogen, it naturally starts becoming more feminine. Your skin becomes softer and your body changes.
Check out Kangana Ranaut's hot avatar for Zoom's new look campaign
7:53 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (June 26, 2015)
ZOOM, the original Bollywood
Entertainment Channel from the Times Network, is all set to unravel
its brand new avatar, as it brings viewers the latest from Bollywood
with the gorgeous Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador. With this, the
queen will now move closer to her fans.
Says Kangana, “I'm thrilled to be a part of this campaign for ZOOM, which is watched by almost every Bollywood celebrity! The channel is entering an exciting new phase and I'm happy to be associated with such a path-breaking campaign. We all know that fashion and Bollywood go hand-in-hand and through my show My Life, My Style @Kangana, I am excited to share my experiences, fashion tips, style statements and current trends with the fans of Bollywood.“
ZOOM will unveil a slate of new Bollywood-focussed content under their new logo and tagline, Turn On.It reveals its fresh programming and unique packaging and presentation today. Bollywood hunks Farhan Akhtar and Randeep Hooda have been signed on. Farhan will offer a sneak peek into his life through On The Road@Farhan Live, a musical journey with his band as they perform to packed crowds across the country. Randeep Hooda's show Man Up@Randeep will see the reticent star share his insights about what makes women happy - from how to interact with women to what they really mean when they talk, Randeep will tell you how to be a better man with finesse! The channel will also feature celebrity blogger Miss Malini, who will bring her blog to life through Kya Seen Hai@Malini. Singer and stand-up artiste Sugandha Mishra, who can mimic 25 voices and speak eight languages, will deliver her comical takes on the weekly wrap Funtanatan. Then there's Style Panga@Sushant with Sushant Divgikar and other exciting shows. Not to forget the channel's popular show Planet Bollywood, which will now have new hosts to take viewers through celebrity ups and downs, hits and misses, gossip, controversies, sneak peeks, fashion and red carpet.
Catch ZOOM in its new look today from 7 pm onwards.
Says Kangana, “I'm thrilled to be a part of this campaign for ZOOM, which is watched by almost every Bollywood celebrity! The channel is entering an exciting new phase and I'm happy to be associated with such a path-breaking campaign. We all know that fashion and Bollywood go hand-in-hand and through my show My Life, My Style @Kangana, I am excited to share my experiences, fashion tips, style statements and current trends with the fans of Bollywood.“
ZOOM will unveil a slate of new Bollywood-focussed content under their new logo and tagline, Turn On.It reveals its fresh programming and unique packaging and presentation today. Bollywood hunks Farhan Akhtar and Randeep Hooda have been signed on. Farhan will offer a sneak peek into his life through On The Road@Farhan Live, a musical journey with his band as they perform to packed crowds across the country. Randeep Hooda's show Man Up@Randeep will see the reticent star share his insights about what makes women happy - from how to interact with women to what they really mean when they talk, Randeep will tell you how to be a better man with finesse! The channel will also feature celebrity blogger Miss Malini, who will bring her blog to life through Kya Seen Hai@Malini. Singer and stand-up artiste Sugandha Mishra, who can mimic 25 voices and speak eight languages, will deliver her comical takes on the weekly wrap Funtanatan. Then there's Style Panga@Sushant with Sushant Divgikar and other exciting shows. Not to forget the channel's popular show Planet Bollywood, which will now have new hosts to take viewers through celebrity ups and downs, hits and misses, gossip, controversies, sneak peeks, fashion and red carpet.
Catch ZOOM in its new look today from 7 pm onwards.
Bollywood is filled with closet gays-Kirron Kher
8:01 AM
Actress and BJP MP, Kirron Kher is now the 'face' of the LGBT community
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 16, 2015)
Despite representing a political party known for its staunch Hindutva ideologies, Kirron Kher is fearless and completely committed to the LGBT community in the country. Excerpts from an interview:
Do you have a personal connection with the cause?
One's prayer and pleasure are personal business. Which God I pray to and what turns me on in bed are private matters. I've a mixed bag of friends who are homosexuals, heterosexuals and bi-sexuals. Their sexual orientation does not define our friendship.
Films like Dostana, in which you played a stereotypical mother aghast at her son's gay sexuality, were hits but did it really help the LGBT community?
See, as far as Dostana goes, ultimately my character was warm and accepting of her gay son. It took Indian parents years to accept their mentally challenged children and now finally, our country is open to talking about other mental diseases. The day parents fight the social and moral taboos surrounding the LGBT community we'll have tackled the issue.
Even before you became the 'face' of the LGBT community you told Mr. Gay India 2014, Sushant Divgikar, on the reality show, India's Got Talent, that you will fight for the rights of the community?
I hosted the talk show Purushkshetra that discussed alternative sexuality for the first time on Indian television. Even thought the show only aired for a short duration, it focussed on homosexuality and women in a patriarchal society like ours. I have been supportive of the LGBT community since the very beginning. Why should anyone be against it?
How did you party react to the decision to campaign for gay rights?
There are many in power who are against Section 377 but there are also those who support it. The first thing I would like to do is introduce educational programs which will help people understand the scientific and medical history of homosexuality. This will eradicate the stereotype that men have a choice in deciding their sexual preferences.
What should be the film fraternity's agenda to support the cause?
Films help minorities. The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Singh Is King have been the 'face' of the Sikh community in Bollywood and helped us move on from portraying Sardars are 'funny characters'. Bollywood is filled with closeted gays who pretend to be straight. It will take a long time for people to be open about the issue. The change definitely needs to start with our film industry.
Best thing about Bigg Boss 8 was Salman Khan ke ghar ka khaana-Praneet Bhatt
7:41 AM
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 23, 2014)
Television and theatre actor Praneet Bhatt, who was evicted from the Bigg Boss 8 house this weekend, says he has evolved as a human being after his stay there. “In three-and-a-half months, I’ve learnt more about life and experienced more facets of human nature than I have, all my life. Believe me, I’ve come away from Bigg Boss 8 a wiser man.”
Praneet, who was part of the notorious P3G gang inside the Bigg Boss house says, “Puneet, RJ Pritam Singh, Gautam Gulati and I — the P3G — bonded better than the rest of the contestants. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t get along with the rest of the house-mates. I am, by nature, a friendly and positive person. I made friends with Sushant and Sonali. And we’ll continue to be friends even after the show is over.”
So, what is the best and worst experience Praneet has come out with? “Worst, I’d like to forget. The best, by far, was the weekly interaction with Salman Sir. Every Saturday, I used to wait to talk to him. And we’d also wait for the home-made food that Salman Sir sent for all of us contestants in the Bigg Boss house. It is not a small thing to get ghar ka khana from Salman Sir’s home.”
Praneet came out from Bigg Boss with a clean working slate. “I will now be looking at work on television and of course, in movies.”
Salman Khan has offered me a film-Sushant Divgikar
8:06 AM
Vinita Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 12, 2014)
He is the fresh, young face
of the LGBT community today who started his career as an, actor, VJ, and even won the Mr Gay India 2014 pageant
and went on to represent India at Mr Gay World 2014. But, Sushant
Divgikar became a household name when he appeared in Bigg Boss'
current season. He has now been evicted, but he is one helluva happy
man. Reason? “I'm really thrilled that Salman Khan has offered me a film
as a singer. So, after doing that film and the song, I will retire (laughs). Honestly, this is one thing that is much bigger than anything else for me.“
Sushant is candid enough to confess that in the past couple of weeks, he had given up on the negative energy, which was threatening to engulf the celebrity house. “I'm a certified psychologist and I have spent enough time with each candidate inside to realise that many of them are putting up a show and a charade to garner cheap publicity. I'm glad that I'm out of the show and came out with my head held high,“ says he.
Sushant is candid enough to confess that in the past couple of weeks, he had given up on the negative energy, which was threatening to engulf the celebrity house. “I'm a certified psychologist and I have spent enough time with each candidate inside to realise that many of them are putting up a show and a charade to garner cheap publicity. I'm glad that I'm out of the show and came out with my head held high,“ says he.
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