Mumbai’s Free Acting Workshop Is Opening Doors for Queer and Trans Talent — Here’s How to Join
Keshav Suri Foundation and filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari are bringing back TRANSaction, a free three-day acting workshop for transgender and queer talent. The fifth edition runs June 12–14, 2026 at The LaLiT Mumbai, starting at 9:00 AM daily, as part of the foundation’s Pride Month events.
Designed to build skills, confidence, and industry connections, TRANSaction gives participants hands-on training, mentorship, and career guidance. Sessions will be led by Faraz Arif Ansari and a roster of guest mentors from film and digital media, including Pooja Bhatt, Shweta Tripathi, Taha Shah Badussha, Tess Joseph, and Shikha Talsania.
Since 2018, the workshop has focused on connecting overlooked talent with real opportunities. Faraz Arif Ansari, reflecting on the program, said that as a queer, non-binary filmmaker he created TRANSaction to help open doors that were not available to him. He described the program as action-focused, building meaningful links between emerging artists and industry professionals to increase access and visibility.
Keshav Suri, founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation, called TRANSaction a platform that turns potential into opportunity. He noted that past participants have gone on to work in films, web series, campaigns, and as creators, and reiterated the foundation’s mission to ensure queer and transgender people can tell their own stories.
Registrations are open to transgender and queer performers who want to explore acting and storytelling in a supportive environment. Interested candidates can apply through the Keshav Suri Foundation’s official channels.
