The red carpet at the KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2026 turned into a moment of reflection and emotion as Konkona Sen Sharma arrived in Mumbai and spoke candidly about cinema, identity, and the meaning of Pride. The acclaimed actor, who was also honoured at the festival with the Rainbow Voices Award, shared heartfelt words that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.
Speaking about her long association with the festival, Konkona said, “I am very excited to be a part of the Kashish Pride Film Festival. This marks the 17th year of the festival, and it is South Asia's largest queer film festival. I have attended many times in the past and have a long-standing association with this festival; other films of mine have also been screened here. I am very proud of Sridhar and his entire team for putting together such a wonderful festival, year after year.”
The conversation then shifted to the power of cinema, where Konkona delivered one of the most widely shared reflections of the night. Her words highlighted why storytelling continues to matter in shaping conversations around identity and acceptance. She said, “Cinema is such a powerful medium for showcasing realities in a way that fosters belief and acceptance among people. In fact—I feel that cinema, films, art forms, and ideas constitute the most powerful means of communication available. If you want to convince someone of something—or indeed, if you wish to explain, clarify, or convey a message—I believe that the most powerful statements are crafted through ideas, stories, and imagery.”
When asked what Pride means to her personally, Konkona kept it simple yet deeply meaningful, adding, “To me, 'Pride' signifies pride in one's identity—simply put: identity.”
The festival night, held in Mumbai as part of its 17th edition, also saw strong industry presence beyond the red carpet glamour. Rajshri Deshpande, serving as a Narrative Jury member, spoke about the urgent need to expand queer storytelling beyond metropolitan audiences into Tier-3 cities and rural India. She was joined by jury members including filmmakers Parvathy Thiruvothu and Shonali Bose, with industry names like Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Nikkhil Advani, and Maanvi Gagroo also part of this year’s jury lineup.
The opening ceremony also honoured Konkona Sen Sharma with the Rainbow Voices Award, while the Aravani Art Project received the Rainbow Champion Award for its impactful work in trans-inclusive public art advocacy—making the night not just glamorous, but deeply meaningful.
With powerful voices, strong representation, and conversations that went beyond cinema, KASHISH 2026 once again proved why it remains one of the most important cultural spaces for queer storytelling in South Asia.