Negha Shahin (born 1993) is an Indian trans actress. Negha Shahin, who created history by becoming the first trans woman to win the debut actor award at the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards.[1][2] She was born in Tamil Nadu, India.

Negha Shahin
Negha in 2021
Born1993 (age 30–31)
Occupations

Negha was forced to leave her home and drop out of college at the age of 18.[3] She is currently living in Chennai and has worked with various transgender rights organizations, including the Thozhi.

Negha is the founder of Queer Casting and QC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the trans and queer community [4][5][6]

Early life

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Negha was assaulted and then kicked out by her parents when she came out as transgender. She moved to Chennai with her Plus Two certificate.[7]

Career

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Negha is a trained mental health counsellor, having worked with a NGO called Thozhi she have counseled over 100+ trans women to overcome their gender issues and fight against their social stigma[8] During this, she became a model and a television anchor. She also worked a video jockey with Ananda Vikatan.

Negha is the writer of Love Is Love [9] and director of Sandakaranga.[10] “This is the first-time trans men and trans women have come together on a stage,” says Negha in Rural India Online.

In 2021, she appeared in Antharam, for which she was the first transgender woman to win a Maiden Award at the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards.[11][12]

She has also starred in over few short films namely, Piravi, Manam and Thirunagal.[1] She worked on a Tamil film The Road (2023), which also stars Trisha and Miya George.[3]

Evolution In media

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In September 2023, the inaugural QC workshop was successfully completed with participation from over 18 transgender and queer individuals. They gained valuable field knowledge from directors Mysskin and Sasikumar alongside various other directors and actors [13][14]

In June 2024, observed worldwide as Pride Month, Queer Casting hosted an event called "Pride Palooza" in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This event's organized by a trans couple, featured a keynote of first southern transmen panel discussion in India and the 106th performance of A. Revathi's play "Vellai Mozhi," an award ceremony with several other activities [15][16]

Filmography

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As actress

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List of film acting credits
Year Title Role Language Notes Ref.
2023 Antharam Anjali Malayalam Won—Kerala State Film Special Award in Any Category for Women/Transgender [17][18]
The Road Tamil Debut Tamil film [19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Meet Negha S, winner of Kerala State film award for women and trans persons". The News Minute. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  2. ^ "Pride Month | Two queer actors on the need for more LGBTQIA+ voices in the Indian film industry". Moneycontrol. 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  3. ^ a b "Meet Negha S, winner of Kerala State film award for women and trans persons". The News Minute. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  4. ^ Fathima, Azeefa (2024-06-12). "Chennai Pride Palooza event to be held on June 16: Everything to know". The New Minute. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  5. ^ "சினிமா வாய்ப்புக்கு ஏங்கும் திருநங்கைகள்: 'வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தால் கலக்குவோம்' என்கிறார்கள்". Malai Malar (in Tamil). 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  6. ^ Ram, Anjali (2022-02-14). "FII Interviews: Negha Shahin Talks About Trans Feminism And Mental Health". feminisminindia. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  7. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2022-05-30). "'Award a recognition for transgender community'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-08-29. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Negha Shahin- Fighting against the odds". Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  9. ^ Fathima, Azeefa (2024-06-12). "Chennai Pride Palooza event to be held on June 16: Everything to know". The Hindu. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  10. ^ "Unveiled: theatre of the trans community". People's Archive of Rural India. 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  11. ^ "Negha S on winning first Kerala State Film Award for a trans artiste: 'Torch that'll show more of us the way'". New nine. 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  12. ^ Ram, Anjali (2022-12-14). "FII Interviews: Negha Shahin Talks About Trans Feminism And Mental Health". Feminism in India. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  13. ^ "சினிமா வாய்ப்புக்கு ஏங்கும் திருநங்கைகள்: 'வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தால் கலக்குவோம்' என்கிறார்கள்". Malai Malar (in Tamil). 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  14. ^ Fathima, Azeefa (2024-06-12). "Chennai Pride Palooza event to be held on June 16: Everything to know". The Hindu. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  15. ^ Fathima, Azeefa (2024-06-12). "Chennai Pride Palooza event to be held on June 16: Everything to know". The Hindu. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  16. ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (2024-06-25). "Queer artistes on the stories they want to see on-screen". The Hindu. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  17. ^ "Publishing House for Queer Community Writers in India Makes its Debut". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Meet Negha S and Alina Khan, two trans actors, from India and Pakistan, who are changing the narrative". Indian Express. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Meet Negha S, winner of Kerala State film award for women and trans persons". The News Minute. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2022-08-29.