As part of its Pride Month 2026 celebrations, Keshav Suri Foundation in collaboration with the acclaimed filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari, is set to host the fifth edition of TRANSaction, a free acting workshop exclusively for members of the transgender and queer community.

The three-day workshop will be held from 12th to 14th June 2026 at The LaLiT Mumbai, commencing at 9:00 AM each day.

Conceived as a platform to nurture talent, confidence, and visibility, TRANSaction provides aspiring performers from the LGBTQIA+ community with access to industry insights, professional mentorship, and opportunities for creative growth. Participants will engage in intensive and interactive sessions led by filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari and learn from an inspiring line-up of guest mentors, including Pooja Bhatt, Shweta Tripathi, Taha Shah Badussha, Tess Joseph, Shikha Talsania, and several other leading voices from the entertainment industry.

Since its inception in 2018, TRANSaction has been guided by a simple yet powerful belief: talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Over the years, the initiative has become a unique platform connecting emerging transgender and queer talent with industry professionals, helping participants build confidence, networks, and pathways into the world of cinema and storytelling.

Sharing his vision behind the programme, Faraz Arif Ansari said, " As a queer, non-binary filmmaker, I've spent years carving out space for myself and my stories within mainstream cinema. Starting TRANSaction was a way of paying that journey forward; creating pathways for transgender and queer individuals to access training, mentorship, and opportunities that have too often remained out of reach. What excites me most about the programme is that it goes beyond representation as a conversation and turns it into action. It creates real connections between emerging queer and trans talent and the people who shape our industry. Through our continued partnership with the Keshav Suri Foundation, TRANSaction remains committed to opening doors, expanding networks, and helping create a screen culture that is more reflective of the world we live in. I’'ve always believed that inclusion isn't about making room at the table as an act of charity; it's about recognizing the immense talent, creativity, and perspective that already exists within our communities. The future of storytelling belongs to a wider range of voices, and TRANSaction is our way of ensuring those voices have the support, access, and visibility they deserve.

Speaking about the initiative, Keshav Suri, Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation, "TRANSaction is more than an acting workshop; it is a platform that transforms potential into opportunity. Through the Keshav Suri Foundation, we have worked to create meaningful pathways for queer and transgender talent, while Kitty Su has proudly served as a cultural stage where LGBTQIA+ voices, creativity, and expression are celebrated. What fills us with immense pride is seeing participants from previous editions now appearing on screens, in digital campaigns, web series, films, and as influential content creators shaping narratives of their own. Their journeys remind us that talent has always existed within our communities; what was needed was access. As we celebrate Pride Month, we remain committed to ensuring that more queer and transgender individuals are not just represented in stories but are empowered to tell them. Our partnership with Faraz is rooted in a shared belief that queer talent deserves not just visibility, but centre stage. Because the truth is, the industry was never short of queer talent; it was short on opportunities. TRANSaction is helping change that, one audition, one role, and one breakthrough at a time."

Registrations for TRANSaction are open to aspiring transgender and queer performers who wish to explore acting, storytelling, and creative expression in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment.