RJ Malishka and actor/singer Sushant Divgikar to host opening ceremony of KASHISH 2017
RJ Malishka and actor/singer and former Big Boss 8 contestant Sushant Divgikar will host the opening ceremony of the 8th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival on May 24, 2017 at the city's iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema. KASHISH 2017 - South Asia;s biggest LGBTQ film festival will be held from May 24-28, at two venues in South Mumbai - Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise. The festival theme is "Diverse, One" reflecting the diversity of LGBTQ communities and will screen 147 films from 45 countries.
"This is the second consecutive year that I'm hosting the Opening Ceremony for the KASHISH Film festival but I've been a fan for a long time.It is festive, joyous and a celebration of oneness in Diversity where everyone regardless of their sexual orientation is welcome. Last year not only did I do a singing gig as I entered but also got to bring up on stage Sir Ian McKellen and that was such a privilege. This year as Sushant Divgikar and I are hosting it together it will be mad fun as well. The message that the festival sends out to the world and the truly captivating films the jury selects is to not just entertain but also to sensitise and educate, make KASHISH a unique experience," said Malishka.
"Kashish MIQFF has been a very important initiative for the LGBT community to come closer and relate to and with each other through the medium of cinema , which I honestly believe is a very strong medium to express oneself," said Sushant Divgikar who also goes by his stage name of PRINCE S and is an actor, former model, singer, reality TV personality,international performer , dancer , columnist , Mr. Gay India 2014 and a certified industrial psychologist. "This is the fifth year I will personally be part of KASHISH and performing and the second time I will be hosting it. But this is the first time I'm hosting with one of my dear friends and the very talented Malishka. KASHISH has gotten better every year and I can promise that I have a lot of surprises on stage and I cannot wait to be on stage and entertain the audiences once more!" added Sushant.
Sridhar Rangayan, festival director said, "These are two amazing people who have been strong supporters of KASHISH. They are so talented and fun, their joie de vivre is infectious. The audience love them totally and they are going to set the stage on fire to roll in an extravagant opening night
Founded in 2010, KASHISH MIQFF is held over 5 days at two venues. The festival this year will be held at Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise in South Mumbai. It is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval by the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. Voted as one of the Top 5 LGBT Film Festival in the world, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is South Asia's biggest queer film festival and the only LGBT film festival in India to be held in a mainstream theater. The film festival this year will be held between May 24-May 28, 2017, at two venues in South Mumbai – the city’s iconic art deco theatre Liberty Cinema and Alliance Francaise. Delegate Registrations are open on Book My Show https://in.bookmyshow.com /festival/mumbai-international -queer-film-festiva
The theme of KASHISH 2017 explores the diversity of the LGBTQ communities. The diverse shades of the rainbow remind us that as people we are all different and we are all unique. In the fight for an equal society, basic human rights and against laws that criminalize and discriminate, it is our shared values that bring us together. We are strongest when we come together, when we embrace one another’s uniqueness and celebrate our differences. We are Diverse, We are One.