“Taali Review: Sushmita Sen Shines in Biographical Drama on Trans Activist Shreegauri Sawant”
In the new web series “Taali,” created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk Nishandar, Sushmita Sen delivers a compelling performance as she portrays the life of trans activist Shreegauri Sawant. Despite Sen’s commendable efforts, “Taali” struggles to break free from its formulaic biographical drama structure. Let’s delve into the details of this one-note portrayal.
“Taali” revolves around the journey of Shreegauri Sawant, a transgender activist. The series, directed by Ravi Jadhav and written by Kshitij Patwardhan, follows Sawant’s life through flashbacks presented in the form of a Ted-talk inspired interview with a journalist named Amanda. From her childhood as Ganesh, an effeminate schoolboy, to her decision to undergo a sex-change operation, Sawant’s story unfolds through a series of milestones. However, the show fails to explore her inner life and the challenges she faces along the way.
Sushmita Sen’s Performance:
Sushmita Sen delivers a commendable performance as Gauri, but her screen presence sometimes feels distant. Her stiff body language and predictable responses hinder the portrayal. The dialogues she is given also lack depth, making it difficult to salvage the performance. Overall, Sen’s portrayal lacks curiosity and surprise.
The Flaws:
“Taali” falls short in several aspects. It fails to provide a context for the struggles faced by queer individuals, making unfair comparisons between different forms of discrimination. The series also relies on a formulaic narrative structure, overlooking the opportunity to delve into Sawant’s inner world and explore her resilience. Additionally, the heavy-handedness with which earlier scenes are directed feels forced, leaving little room for viewers to fill in the gaps.
While Sushmita Sen’s performance shines in “Taali,” the series itself struggles to rise above its one-note portrayal of Shreegauri Sawant. The lack of exploration into Sawant’s inner life and the formulaic narrative structure hinder the overall impact of the show. Nevertheless, “Taali” serves as a celebration of Sawant’s journey and her contribution to the transgender community.
