Sushmita Sen to play transgender activist Gauri Sawant in 'Taali', drops first look

Will document Sawant's efforts to revolutionise transgender movement in India

sushmita-sen-taali via Instagram | @sushmitasen47

Bollywood star Sushmita Sen on Thursday unveiled her first look from an upcoming web series, featuring her as transgender activist Gauri Sawant.

Titled Taali, the biographical drama series is created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D. Nishandar. It hails from production banner Viacom18.

Sen, who made her digital debut with critically-acclaimed show Aarya, posted her first look from the new series on Instagram.

In the photo, the 46-year-old actor is seen as Sawant, striking a fierce and bold pose for the camera. Sen said the series will chronicle the transgender activist's "story of struggle, resilience, and indomitable power".

"Nothing makes me more proud and grateful than to bring this journey that has been rife with challenges, only to witness a revolution! This one is special for reasons multifold, and I’m really excited to associate with Viacom18 for this one. This is just the beginning, stay tuned for what’s in store," the former Miss Universe said in a statement.

Sawant, who was born as Ganesh and raised in Pune, was one of the petitioners of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) which was filed in 2013, in which the Supreme Court recognised transgender as the third gender with a final verdict in 2014.

Taali will shed light on the momentous life of Sawant -- from her childhood, her transition, to her contribution to revolutionise the transgender movement in India.

Directed by National award-winning filmmaker Ravi Jadhav, the series is produced by Arjun Singgh Baran, Kartk D. Nishandar and Afeefa Nadiadwala.