Queering Desi

This week, Priya chats with Shelly Chopra Dhar, director and co-screenwriter of the new Bollywood film, “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga,” Bollywood’s first mainstream queer love story since “Fire.” The two talk extensively about the film, from what it was like to cast the film to the lukewarm box office response in India, and why we didn't see more of Sweety (Sonam Kapoor) and Kuhu's (Regina Cassandra) relationship on screen. Shelly talks about her intended audience, and Priya even asks about the male savior trope in the story. Later, Shelly talks about her experience as the parent of a queer child and shares advice for other parents.

This week, Priya chats with Antony Amourdoux, a contestant on Season 6 of Netflix's "Great British Baking Show." Priya asks what being on the show was like, and how Antony's life has changed since. He shares how he found his love of baking, and how he (accidentally!) ended up on the show. Later, Priya asks about his journey as a gay man, and Antony shares what it was like coming to terms with his sexuality alongside all his other identities. The two wrap up with a rapid-fire about his favorite movies, foods, recipes, and of course, the show. Finally, Antony shares his plans for 2019 and offers a sincere message to all our listeners.

You can follow Antony on Instagram (@antony_amourdoux) or Twitter (@aamourdoux)!

In the first episode of Season 2, Priya chats with Humza, also known as his drag avatar, MangHoe Lassi. The two chat about how he found his love for drag, and what inspires those striking drag looks. Priya asks Humza the secret to his incredible makeup skills, and he shares the inspiration behind his looks. Humza shares his experiences at DragCon and what an important space it has been for him. Later, he gets real about his struggle embracing his Muslim identity in light of his queer identities, and reveals the message he hopes to send to audiences through his art. They wrap up with a discussion of what's next for Humza, including what looks he wants to try next — and the truth about why he recently shaved his head!

About the guest:

Humza A. Mian aka Manghoe Lassi is a queer Canadian-Pakistani who currently resides in the GTA. He is a Registered Veterinary Technician who works in the downtown core, and a drag queen who has made a big splash on social media over the last year. The focus of his drag is to bring awareness to the existence of queer Desi folk and breaking the chains of toxic masculinity that hold so many queer Desi’s back from expressing themselves. With the help of brands run primarily by PoC, Humza has branched into the world of commercial makeup artistry and is currently focusing on representing brands that encourage diversity and inclusion. His most current drag looks can be seen on Instagram (@_humzer) and are heavily influenced by his cultural background.

In this week's episode, Priya chats with Durga Gawde, an artist and activist based in India. The two chat about Durga's recent feature on Vice India, talking about what it’s like to be a genderfluid person. Durga also shares how they embraced their fluidity, what it was like to come out as pansexual and genderfluid, the struggles of gender presentation in India and how they became India’s first drag king.

Season 1 of the podcast is ending soon! Come celebrate Pride month, and a historic first season of Queering Desi, with "Queering Desi: Beyond the Podcast" in NYC on Thursday, June 28! For more information, visit the Facebook event page. We hope to see you there!

This week on Priya chats with singer and actor Vardaan Arora about his journey from New Delhi to New York, and the origins of his love for pop music. Two discuss South Asian representation in the entertainment industry, and Vardaan shares his personal experience with mental illness and how his identities fuel the lyrics and music he creates. As they wrap up, Vardaan and Priya chat about recent celebrity suicides and the challenges of addressing mental health in the South Asian community.

This week, Priya chats with DJ Rekha, founder of Basement Bhangra™ — one on New York City's longest running club nights. Rekha reflects on what it was like to achieve a 20-year milestone with Basement Bhangra, and what life has been like since the party wrapped. The two chat about the history of music in the South Asian queer movement, and Rekha shares what it's like to create and hold spaces for South Asian LGBTQ+ folks as a DJ. Later, Priya asks Rekha about her take on Bollywood remixes and remakes, and the two chat about "Veere Di Wedding" and why the reaction to the film has been so polarizing.

Come celebrate Pride month, and a historic first season of Queering Desi, with "Queering Desi: Beyond the Podcast" in NYC on Thursday, June 28! For more information, visit the Facebook event page. We hope to see you there!

This week, Priya chats with Alok Vaid-Menon, a gender non-conforming writer and performance artist. The two chat about Alok's journey, from their love for writing to the social justice that underlines all their work. Priya and Alok also chat about making room for non-binary folks in the queer and trans movement, how homophobia and transphobia intersects with other systems of oppression, and what it means to heal from the violence that affects trans people of color — and all of us.

This week, Priya chats with Dr. Riddhi Sandil, a licensed psychologist and co-founder of the Sexuality, Women and Gender (SWG) Project at Teachers College, Columbia University. The two start by discussing what it means to hold multiple marginalized identities and the taboo of discussing mental wellbeing in South Asian communities. Priya asks Dr. Sandil about her research, and the two work to address and deconstruct the top myths our communities believe about therapy. Later, the two discuss what allies can do to support mental wellbeing and Dr. Sandil shares more about her current research and the SWG Project.

This week, Priya chats with Vivek Shraya, whose body of work includes several albums, films, and books. The two chat about Vivek’s first collection of poetry, “even this page is white,” including its groundbreaking boldness in calling out white supremacy and what it’s like to look back on the collection now. The two also discuss Vivek’s latest album, “Part-Time Woman,” and the depth and message of Priya’s favorite track, Brown Girls. Later, Vivek gives us a glimpse of her upcoming book, “I’m Afraid Of Men” and the two chat about the power of one Ma Anand Sheela… (Shraya?!) 😱

This week, Priya chats with Rohan, the CEO —or as he prefers, the Bolly heRO—of Doonya, a danced-based, high-intensity interval training dance fitness program. Rohan shares the origins of his love for dance, garba circles, and Madhuri Dixit. He shares how his identity as a gay man was impacted by cultural and gender norms, and how he paved the way to self-acceptance. Priya asks Rohan how his journey shaped the way he now runs Doonya, and later, Rohan shares his three biggest dance loves. With Bollywood in the mix, the two end with some fun trivia, where Rohan reveals his dream panel of dance judges, his all-time favorite Bollywood dance song and what he really thinks about the "Ek Do Teen" song remake!