Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor, who is riding high on the success of his recently released film Half Girlfriend will be seen lending support towards the queer community. The 31-year-old actor has been invited to be the chief guest at KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Festival opening on Wednesday at Liberty Cinema, Marine Lines in the financial capital. Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson of Godrej Consumer Products, will inaugurate the event along with the actor.
The festival, which happens to be South Asia’s biggest LGBTQ film festival, will take place between May 24-28 at two venues in South Mumbai—the city’s iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise.
The theme explores the diversity of the LGBTQ communities. It will feature the largest prize money for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer films in South Asia.
Around 43 of the 147 films that will be screened at the festival will compete in the eight competition categories for a total cash award of Rs 2.20 lakhs. The prize money will be sponsored by Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares, Whistling Woods International, Shri K.F. Patil Charitable Trust, Wadia Movietone and Lotus Visual.
The event will also see the presence of other renowned personalities including stylist Adhuna Babani, director Shonali Bose, actor Lubna Salim and film editor Anjum Rajabaki.
Sridhar Rangayan, Festival Director, says, “We have been really trying hard to up the value we bring to the independent filmmakers who put in so much of effort to make LGBTQ films across the world."
The highest award at KASHISH, Best Narrative Feature (Rs 30,000) as well as well as those for Best Indian Short Film (Rs 20,000) and Actor in a Leading Role (Rs 15,000) are sponsored by Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares.
“I am heartened to see KASHISH growing year by year, providing a fantastic platform for independent queer cinema, bringing together films and offering a bridge to many cultures around the world. Actor Prepares is committed to nurturing talent and we are delighted to continue our support, for the fourth year, to three of the awards at the festival," said actor Anupam Kher.
