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In today's episode, I interview Radha Mehta, who co-directed the short film "Witness" with Saif Jaan. The film tells the story of an Imam of a small town mosque who is faced with choosing between upholding the values of his mosque or protecting the safety and spiritual belonging of a trans man congregant.

Listen to hear about the story's basis in Saif Jaan's real experience, how difficult it was to find a working mosque willing to allow a story about a trans character to be filmed inside, and what it's like to land your ideal casting for an important role in a film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Witness" directed by Radha Mehta and Saif Jaan
• An Act of Worship directed by Nausheen Dadabhoy
• Iron Man directed by Jon Favreau
• About Elly directed by Asghar Farhadi
• A Separation directed by Asghar Farhadi
• Salaam Bombay! directed by Mira Nair
• Close directed by Lukas Dhont
• Vision Quest (upcoming series)
• A Real Pain directed by Jesse Eisenberg
• One of a Kind (Wakhri) directed by Iram Parveen Bilal
• "Dosh" directed by Radha Mehta

Follow Radha on Instagram @radhamehta and the film @witness.shortfilm
be sure to check out the film at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival in London this June.

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