# Aashiesh Sharrma Details Transformation for Transgender Role in Khejdi 2026-08-06T14:05:04+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Actor Aashiesh Sharrma plays a transgender character in Khejdi, which released in India after festival screenings began in 2018. He received the Best Actor award at the New York City South Asian Film Festival in 2019, along with other honours. The role came from a short story shared by his father. Sharrma and his wife, Archana Taide, selected the project as their first feature film. Sharrma said he lost nearly 30 kg for the role and undertook extensive emotional preparation. He wrote the character himself and said he had to unlearn and remould himself to understand its psychology. He also credited earlier mythological and historical roles with aiding his development. The film’s wider audience response and reception among the transgender community remain unclear. ## Coverage - newindianexpress.com Tags: Aashiesh Sharrma, film, Khejdi, transgender representation Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/aashiesh-sharrma-details-transformation-for-transgender-role-in-khejdi/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/aashiesh-sharrma-details-transformation-for-transgender-role-in-khejdi/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.