The director’s excitement was palpable as he spoke about his role as a producer in giving a platform to these new talents and enabling them to share their stories with the world
Filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria recently showered praise on actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha for their involvement in presenting TAPS, an LGBTQ+ drama that is making waves in the film industry. In a heartfelt interview with IANS, Saria explained how the duo’s participation in this significant project added a unique dimension to the narrative, particularly because they are a straight couple telling the story of queer love.
Describing their contribution as the “cherry on top of the cake,” Saria emphasized that their involvement enhanced the storytelling, giving it a more profound and resonant impact. “In fact, getting Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha to present the film made everything ten times sweeter,” said Saria. “I have shared a long relationship with them and admire them as individual artists and as a couple. The idea of a straight couple presenting the story of queer love felt like the cherry on top of this amazing cake.”
Saria, whose reputation as a filmmaker continues to grow, expressed that TAPS is a particularly special project for him. It marks the first-time collaboration with the KASHISH Film Foundation, a vital organization supporting queer film rights, LGBTQ+ content, and the broader movement for queer representation in cinema.
He also highlighted the partnership with Lotus Visual Productions, a company led by Neeraj Churi, a significant voice within the queer community. TAPS is a milestone in this collaborative effort, as Saria’s vision reaches new heights with the introduction of fresh voices in the industry. “It’s our first time collaborating with Lotus Visual Productions, which is Neeraj Churi’s company. He has become such a significant voice in the queer community. It’s our time to bring a new filmmaker to Mumbai, introducing Arvind Caulagi as a new voice for people to look at. To add to it, we’re introducing Ullas Samrat too, I believe he is a very good actor who has a huge career ahead of him,” said Saria.
The director’s excitement was palpable as he spoke about his role as a producer in giving a platform to these new talents and enabling them to share their stories with the world. “I am most excited as a producer to enable these voices and help another queer story come to the ground,” he shared. “For me, in a way, it’s a 10-year anniversary of Love — the queer film that launched my career. I am circling back to give another resonating story to people to interact with.”
As a filmmaker reflecting on the journey of his career and personal life, Saria also spoke about his birthday, which coincided with the release of TAPS. “Every birthday is an opportunity to reflect and take stock of the year gone by, and this birthday is really special because of the kind of year I had last year,” he remarked. The director celebrated his special day by acknowledging the meaningful collaborations he enjoyed throughout the year, working on projects like Big Girls Don’t Cry, Ulajh, Sahiba, Sanaa, and TAPS.
“It was wonderful to be a part of five different projects and become a part of such unique film families,” he said. “This birthday was about celebrating each of those collaborations.”
For Sudhanshu Saria, TAPS represents not only a return to his roots in queer storytelling but also a celebration of the diverse and inclusive voices that are shaping the future of Indian cinema. His commitment to amplifying LGBTQ+ narratives and helping new talent find their place in the industry speaks to his vision for the future of cinema in India.
With TAPS set to captivate audiences, Saria’s heartfelt praise for Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha’s involvement is a testament to the growing collaboration across diverse communities within the Indian film industry. Through projects like these, filmmakers continue to challenge traditional narratives, bringing stories of love, identity, and acceptance to the forefront of mainstream cinema.
As Saria celebrates another year of life and a successful year of filmmaking, TAPS stands as a shining example of his dedication to championing underrepresented stories in Indian cinema.
