Sushmita Sen is in the news these days because of Taali. Sushmita Sen spoke to Health Shots about this web series which presents the discrimination and struggle of the transgender community.
Sushmita Sen is very special. In her acting, in her personal life and in her modesty. You have seen and heard her as a wonderful person on many platforms. She represents those Indian women who live on their own terms. By winning the first Miss Universe title for India, she demonstrated her hard work, intellect and strong will. As an actress, she has always played different roles. She has been a role model for modern women due to her work and personal life. Against the established social norms, Sushmita Sen is single even at the age of 47. She is the mother of two adopted daughters. Her career is also constantly moving forward (actress Sushmita sen on Taali and personal life).
Freedom is the most important need
She believes that being an independent woman has some side effects. Sushmita Sen says, “For me, the biggest need in my life is my freedom. I am an independent person. Whatever I do, I do it from my heart. I do not work to fulfill the expectations of others.”
“Being single means that I haven’t met someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. I have never felt the lack of love in my life, that is the most unique and special thing. According to the Indian mentality, children come after marriage. I already have them – I am raising my two daughters alone. I don’t feel the lack of anything in my life.”
live life with positivity
As a public figure, Sushmita Sen has always been positive. She became the first Indian to win the Miss Universe crown at the young age of 18. Sushmita Sen has also acted, but she chose her biggest role off-screen – as mother to Renee and Alisah.
She adopted both of them in turn in 2000 and 2010. Her important work has always been appreciated. Sushmita Sen says, “I think there is everything in the world. If you want, you can stand on your feet every morning. You can work hard. You can face challenges and live your life fearlessly.” Earlier this year, Sushmita had a heart attack.
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do what you want to do
Sushmita is very strong in her views and lives life on her own terms. She says, “I did not choose to live life on my terms. It all happened according to the situation. I gradually got to know the different perspectives of the people around me. After this I asked myself, ‘What do I want?’ I listen to everyone and do what I want to do. This is the reason why I am able to live life on my own terms.
Abuse is fuel for me
Her latest onscreen project is Jio Cinema’s “Taali”, a web series on the life of real-life transgender activist Shrigauri Sawant. A man from a marginalised community came with bricks and a bouquet. When asked what motivates her in real life – clapping or abuse, Sushmita replied, “Claps don’t work as fuel. It’s abuses that do!”
When she got the opportunity to play the character of Shrigauri Sawant, she doubted herself whether she would be able to do it or not. She says, ‘When I posted about it on social media, people started writing ‘Chhakka’. Only then did I realize that I am going to be the voice of this huge community. The abuses worked as fuel for me to play the character of Gauri.’
An attempt to make people aware of the struggles of transgender people
The web series is a creative attempt to introduce the audience to the struggles of the transgender community in society. To take that message forward, Sushmita Sen personally advocates that cisgender children need to stop being taught to fear and distance themselves from transgenders. They start treating them the same way even when they grow up (actress Sushmita Sen on Taali and personal life).
She tells Health Shots, “The basic principles of life are laid down in childhood. Then we habitually make mistakes of discriminating against people. We start believing this to be the truth. Lessons of diversity, inclusion and acceptance of all people in society should be taught in school.”
It is important to eradicate discrimination from society
Sushmita Sen concludes, “Children spend a lot of time in school with friends. So it should be compulsory in our schools to learn about all communities and ways to develop trust in them. Only then will children know why some people are different. Then they will not automatically discriminate against friends and colleagues.” I wish this hopeful statement of Sushmita Sen becomes a reality.
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