Ila Mehrotra on Directing India's 1st Best Trans Model Agency

'Made in Wales' is a Film Hub Wales project, celebrating films with Welsh connections. It is supported by funding from Creative Wales and National Lottery funding via the BFI.

In this episode, artist and writer Aiman Rahim spoke with the director of India’s 1st Best Trans Model Agency, Ila Mehrotra, recorded on 21 October 2024. 

Releasing on 13 November 2024, at the start of Transgender Awareness Week, Ila's documentary is a nuanced exploration into the experiences of the transgender Hijra population in India, filmed over the course of seven years. Whilst traditional Hindu society recognises the ancient Hijra identity as a legal ‘third sex’ — a community of holy hermaphrodites — this does not mean acceptance. 

Make sure to subscribe for more conversations! Find the video version of this Q&A, on our Youtube.