Kaizad Gustad has returned to filmmaking after more than a decade with “Lala & Poppy,” a pioneering love story centered on two transgender characters, making its world premiere at the International Film Festival of India ( IFFI ) in Goa.

The film marks a significant departure in Indian cinema’s representation of trans narratives, casting actual trans actors Suruj Rajkhowa and Veer Singh in the lead roles. The story follows Lala, a trans woman, and Poppy, a trans man, as they navigate falling in love while undergoing their respective transitions.

Gustad, known for his 1998 breakout “Bombay Boys,” found the inspiration for the project after meeting Rajkhowa five years ago. “I met Suruj Rajkhowa accidentally, and I was really taken in by Suruj, their personality and their charisma and the

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