Pride Month 2025: Sheetal Kale Opens Up On Working With 200 Transgender Individuals On Sushmita Sen’s Taali; Admits, “We Haven’t Accepted The LGBTQIA+ Community Yet”

As we celebrate pride month, Sushmita Sen's Taali fame Sheetal Kale gets candid about playing a transgender character in the show.

Actress Sheetal Kale, who delivered a heartfelt performance in Taali, opened up about her evolving understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, the impact of her role, and what Pride Month now means to her. She reflects on how the experience shaped her perspective and why authentic representation still matters in Indian cinema.

Taali Fame Sheetal Kale Advocates For LGBTQ+ Community

Before Taali, Sheetal admits her knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community was limited, like that of most people. But stepping into the life of Nargis, a trans woman, opened her eyes to the reality many queer individuals face: exclusion, bullying, and lack of opportunities from a very young age, She says, “Sadly, society still looks at them with suspicion. They’re excluded, bullied from childhood, and constantly made to feel different. Even today, our society hasn’t fully accepted them. Because of this, many don’t receive proper education or job opportunities, simply because they’re seen as different.”

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A post shared by Sheetal Kale (@sheetalk94official)

She added, “That’s why you often see them at traffic signals, offering prayers to everyone it’s heartbreaking. But I feel Taali helped spread awareness. People have started to understand their struggles. I hope society begins to accept the third gender wholeheartedly and gives them the courage and support to live with dignity.”

Sheetal On Taali Being A Personal Milestone

Sheetal calls her experience on Taali a personal milestone, shares, “For me, it was a proud moment to play a transgender character in Taali. As a girl, it was a challenge to step into a role so different from who I am. And doing that in front of experienced artists like Sushmita Sen and National Award-winning director Ravi Jadhav made it even more special it was my first project with them. Initially, it wasn’t easy, but working with 200 transgender individuals and receiving their love made it all feel natural. Being part of a series that changed people’s understanding, and my own, has been a blessing. I’m truly grateful.”

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A post shared by Sheetal Kale (@sheetalk94official)

Living The Character With Heart

Asked how she prepared for the role of Nargis, Sheetal responds, “Whenever I take on a character, I try to feel its soul. Just like we haven’t seen God but still feel His presence, I try to connect with each word and emotion of the character. When I truly understood Nargis’s feelings, only then was I able to portray her honestly.”

More Queer Stories Deserve the Spotlight Sheetal believes cinema has a major role to play in shaping how society views the LGBTQ+ community. “Just like Taali raised awareness, I believe more such stories should be told through cinema. Films have the power to deliver strong messages and show the depth, truth, and humanity of the LGBTQ+ community. These stories can bring real change in how society thinks.”

On Being An Ally

Her message to allies is simple yet powerful, “I would say express yourself openly and live with pride. Every human being has the right to live with dignity. Don’t worry about what society will say. Believe in yourself, and you’ll become the change you want to see.”

In Taali, Sheetal Kale didn’t just play a role; she embraced a responsibility. And through that, she became a voice for those whose stories need to be seen, heard, and celebrated.