While the box office is at a blaze and raking in millions after the release of Gadar 2, Oh My God 2, and Jailer, the world of OTT is also not lagging behind. Talking about streaming platforms, Jio Cinema on August 15, 2023, dropped one of the most-awaited series named Taali starring Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, Nitish Rathore, Ankur Bhatia, and more. Helmed by Arjun Singgh Baran, Kartik Nishandar and Afeefa Nadiadwala Sayed, Taali is based on an incredible true story of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant. Ace Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen portrays the character of Shreegauri Sawant and fans are lavishing praise on the actress after seeing her portraying one of the most challenging characters of her career. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop News assumes that you have watched the series or at least thinking to watch it on Jio Cinema and have multiple questions regarding Taali True Story or Taali Real Story or ultimately about real-life Shreegauri Sawant. Below is everything you need to know about Taali True Story-
Is Taali a true story?
The answer is yes. As mentioned above, Taali is a true story based on the life of real-life transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant from Maharashtra. Talking about Taali's storyline, the series starts with Ganesh in a classroom. When Ganesh was asked by the teacher what he dreams to become in the future, then he answers that he wants to become a mother in the future, The answer by Ganesh made the female teacher uncomfortable and the entire class burst into laughter. However, that was only the start of an incredible journey of Ganesh to becoming Shreegauri Sawant. At home, Ganesh once dresses up as a woman before the mirror and performs lavani at a local function. However, his father reacts to his effeminate ways strongly and gets him to promise to never dance like a woman again. But soon, all hell breaks loose after his mother passes away. And to know further what happened in the series, True Scoop News advice you to watch the series on Jio Cinema. However, if you want to know about real-life Shreegauri Sawant and what is she currently doing, continue reading-
Who is Shreegauri Sawant?
Shreegauri Sawant aka Gauri Sawant was born as Ganesh in Pune’s Bhavanipeth Sarkari quarters since her father was a police officer. Notably, Gauri Sawant in her earlier interview had informed that her mother wanted to abort her due to a 10-year-gab between her pregnancies. "But the doctor told her that this baby was now so evolved and strong that one couldn’t destroy her even if she were slammed against a wall. It was into such yes-and-no back-and-forth circumstances that I was born, so I also turned out with an equally confused gender identity,” said Gauri Sawant.
Gauri Sawant's mother death is of great significance in her life as her actual journey from Ganesh to Gauri started thereafter, Reportedly, Gauri's mother died when she was seven years old and she was raised by her grandmother. Gauri left her house at the age of 14 or 15 as she didn't want to be a disappointment to her father. After reaching Mumbai, Sawant met a friend- a gay-turned-trans sex worker, who offered her food and shelter for the next four days. There, Sawant was introduced to the Humsafar Trust which is one of India’s oldest LGBTQ+ organisations, at the age of 16. She started earning Rs 1500 there. The primary focus of the outreach team was to motivate those struggling with their identities to embrace their true selves without fear of rejection. In 2000, Gauri founded the NGO Sakhi Char Chowghi Trust, which offers counselling to transgender people and spreads awareness about safe sex.
Notably, Gauri first gained the spotlight when she was featured in Vicks' special advertisement in 2017. Vicks's special ad which featured Sawant’s story became viral. The ad showcased a transgender mother raising an orphaned girl. Thereafter, Gauri appeared on a Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 9 episode and used the money she won on the show to build houses for sex workers near Kharghar. As of now, Gauri is the director of Sakhi Char Chowghi which helps transgender people and people with HIV/AIDS. Not only this, she was also made the goodwill ambassador of the Election Commission in Maharashtra.
Although Sawant made tremendous work in every field she took, it was the recognition of the third gender in India which remains the most significant. In 2013, Gauri Sawant was one of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) petitioners. This led to the Supreme Court’s final verdict in 2014 that recognized transgender as the third gender.
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