Latest news with #Trinetra
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Trinetra Haldar Exclusive: "Someone Told Me They Don't See Me As A Woman, But A Transwoman. So..."
Trinetra Haldar rose to fame with her acting debut in the Amazon Prime Original Made In Heaven Season 2 (2023). She is one of India's first transwomen to digitally document her medico-socio-legal transition from male to female. After two years of her debut, she is back on OTT with her new show Kankhajura. The show drops on SonyLIV today. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Trinetra talks about how life has been after Made In Heaven 2, her thoughts on actors undergoing surgeries, and her "life has come full circle" moment with Roshan Mathew. In the series Kankhajura, Trinetra Haldar plays a transwoman, Aimee. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia) We ask if all the roles she has been offered so far are that of a transwoman, or have other roles too come her way. Trinetra says, "I am not committed to playing only trans characters on screen. I am an actor. I want to tell stories. Period." Talking about the process of getting diverse roles, Trinetra tells NDTV, "I am not successful enough to be offered parts readily. I have given auditions so far. But I take my auditions very seriously. I am very proud to say that people in the industry are opening up to the idea of casting more trans people. Honestly, characters are beyond genders. We are not mere males and females. The joy of being an actor lies in telling stories; stories about rich and layered lives." Trinetra is ready to take up roles beyond trans characters. Does the industry show the same zeal? The actor lets us in on the most awkward comment she has received on that front. "A person recently said, 'I don't see you as a woman, but as a trans woman. I feel you'll only play trans parts in your entire life," says Trinetra, without revealing whether the person is a director, actor or producer. Trinetra's Transition vs Actors' Cosmetic Surgeries In 2024, when there was a strong buzz over Rajkummar Rao's facial transformation, Trinetra shared a post on Instagram. An excerpt from the post read, "An actor was recently trolled into sheepishly admitting he had chin filler, and a topper was trolled for (not doing anything about) her facial hair in the face of obvious academic merit. Screwed if you do, screwed if you don't, clearly. There is only this one body, this one life. If there is gender dysphoria, it has to be dealt with." We ask what her thoughts are on actors like Khushi Kapoor or Shruti Haasan, who have openly talked about their cosmetic surgeries. "I can't speak for other people. For me, as a transwoman, the journey is very unique. Everything I have undergone in my personal medical journey has been related to my transition," says Trinetra. "I haven't done anything just because a casting director asked me to do it. I have never taken any step in my personal life or transition for this career. It, my transition journey, was always for my self. "My transition was to align my gender identity with my body. Because, unfortunately, I was not blessed with womanhood when I was born. I had to create it from the scratch. "I feel it's people's choice if they want to talk about their transformations or not. I have always been transparent about my journey," sums up Trinetra. Trinetra's Moment With Roshan Mathew In the series Kankhajura, Trinetra plays Roshan Mathew's love interest. Trinetra, who's a great admirer of Roshan's work, right from her medicine days, tells NDTV, "I watched his film Moothon (2020) when I was studying medicine. My Made In Heaven co-stars Shashank Arora and Sobhita Dhulipala were also a part of that film. So, it's like a life-has-come-full-circle moment for me. In that film, Roshan plays a queer character. He said so much through his eyes. He brings a lot of energy to the sets." Trinetra also shared a funny Instagram reel recently, where she is seen learning Malayalam from Roshan. "I love to learn language. So, I kept on asking him what this word would be called in Malayalam," smiles Trinetra. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju (@trinetra) Trinetra's new show, Kankhajura, is directed by Chandan Arora and produced by Ajay Rai. It also stars Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina and Sarah Jane Dias in lead roles. The series is an official adaptation of the Israeli series, Magpie.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Trinetra Haldar says she manifested working with Roshan Mathew in Kankhajura, recalls being nervous on first day
Actors Roshan Mathew and Mohit Raina are gearing up to thrill audiences with their upcoming crime series Kankhajura. Joining them in a pivotal role is Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju—doctor, content creator, actor, and proud trans woman—who made her acting debut in Made in Heaven 2. In Kankhajura, she plays Amy, a fierce and complex trans woman who marks a bold new chapter in Trinetra's growing acting career. (Also Read: Trinetra Haldar interview on extending her trans experience to Meher in Made in Heaven 2) In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Trinetra opened up about how Kankhajura challenged her as an actor, especially as Amy is a character vastly different from who she is in real life. She also spoke about working opposite Roshan Mathew and stepping into emotionally intense territory with her role. Talking about what drew her to Amy, Trinetra shared, "I am very committed to representing various trans characters on screen because there is such a stereotype around the community still in 2025. When I chose to become an actor, one thing was that I didn't want to do the same thing again and again. I wanted to work on the versatility in me. When I read the script of Kankhajura, Amy was nothing like any audition I had done before or characters I had played in the past. I thought she was so unique that I had to take up the role. Of course, there is a shared identity there, but she is so much more than what I am. So I thought, why not challenge myself?" Trinetra also revealed that she had been a long-time admirer of Roshan Mathew and recalled how nervous she was to work with him. 'When I found out he was doing the show and that I was cast opposite him, I was like I manifested this. I am a huge fan of Malayalam cinema and I've watched his films and really enjoyed his performances. I feel he is an amazing actor. When you have such a generous actor who is sharing a lot of energy with you to react from, it becomes very easy for you as an actor to perform. He was very sweet and building that chemistry was very easy. Off-screen we are like buddies. On the first day I was extremely nervous because I didn't know how to behave—I didn't want to be creepy because I'm such a big fan. But it was great.' A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia) In the show, Amy is a survivor of physical abuse from her boyfriend—a storyline that required emotional depth and careful handling. Speaking about the preparation involved, Trinetra said, 'When I read that, I knew it was going to be difficult because we go through quite a lot of it in our personal lives as trans people. So I knew it wouldn't be easy for sure. But as an actor, you know that there will be times when a certain character that you play will be going through very traumatising situations. But your job as an actor is to separate yourself from it. And what is important there is to surround yourself with safe people. So I felt safe at all times with the director and all the people on set to play that character.' Reflecting on the challenges of embodying Amy, Trinetra said, 'The most challenging part was that Amy is very different from who I am. In the past, many of the characters I played had similarities to who I am. But Amy is very, very different. Pooja Swaroop, my acting coach, helped me get into the character. That was challenging—to get into a completely different character. I mean, she even looks so different compared to what I do.' Directed by Chandan Arora and produced by Ajay Rai, Kankhajura is a gripping crime thriller set to premiere on May 30 on SonyLIV. The official synopsis reads: 'After serving 14 years for a crime from his youth, Ashu returns to reconnect with his brother Max. As they struggle to rebuild trust, Ashu's dark past and dangerous connections resurface, threatening Max's life and business. A gripping story of family, redemption, and the shadows that never truly fade.'
India.com
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Trinetra Haldar on dealing with social media trolling, bullying: ‘I still cry…'
Trinetra Haldar on dealing with social media trolling, bullying: 'I still cry…' | Exclusive In addition to rewriting screenplays, Dr. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju is also rewriting history. Trinetra, India's first transgender doctor-turned-actor, is a formidable, genuine, and unwaveringly graceful woman. Renowned for her groundbreaking role in Made in Heaven 2, she is making a comeback to the big screen with the brutal criminal thriller Kan Khajura, which opens on May 30. In an exclusive conversation, she opens up about her powerful new role, the personal battles that shaped her, and the delicate balance between building resilience and holding on to vulnerability. The Role That Breaks the Mold Trinetra's next screen appearance is in Kan Khajura, a genre she's never explored before. 'I am so excited for this release, I cannot tell you,' she beams. 'It's coming out on the 30th of May, and I haven't played a character like this before.' She plays Amy, a Goan bakery owner who transitioned from Amey, the childhood best friend of the film's protagonist Ashu. Now, after Ashu's release from prison, their friendship begins to evolve into something deeper—only for Amy to find herself entangled in his manipulative plans. 'Amy is someone who is very tough for the world… but when it comes to her romantic relationships, she's a completely different person—vulnerable, soft, and yearning for love and acceptance.' Medicine, Empathy, and Bombay's Harsh Lights Before acting, Trinetra walked the hallowed halls of hospitals as a doctor. Her medical training, she says, shaped her profoundly—not just as a person, but as an artist. 'You're trained to empathize with everyone, whether they're rich or poor. That kind of empathy helps you play any character. And seeing disease and death so closely, it grounds you.' She adds that medicine prepared her for Bombay—the chaos, the glitter, and the rejection. 'It reminds you of the bigger picture… of why you're doing what you're doing.' Fighting Prejudice: From College Classrooms to Legal Battles Despite her academic excellence, Trinetra faced harsh discrimination during her medical training. One of her earliest acts of self-expression—wearing a tiny diamond nose stud—was met with expulsion from class. 'I was banned from anatomy class. I was topping my tests and had a government seat. But that was the first time I realized—your identity will always be held against you.' From facing bias from professors to being harassed in boys' hostels and denied accommodation in the girls' hostel, she eventually filed a PIL for her rights. 'For any trans person to navigate Indian society is difficult. Period.' Support, Struggles, and the Sacred Role of Family Amidst all the chaos, Trinetra finds unwavering strength in her family. 'It's been tough on them—but they've been accepting, they've been willing to learn. Without them, I wouldn't have come this far in life. I owe it all to them.' The Industry's Reality Check: Has It Really Changed? Debuting under Zoya Akhtar in Made in Heaven 2 opened many doors—but Trinetra remains clear-eyed about the industry's inclusivity. 'Just because one filmmaker does something, doesn't mean the whole industry changes. We're still struggling with cis-women representation, let alone trans folks.' She's grateful for the mentorship and opportunities, but the road ahead, she says, is long. 'You're not everybody's cup of tea—and that's okay.' The Power of Vulnerability Even with a toughened exterior, Trinetra confesses that trolls still get to her. 'I still cry all the time, bro.' She believes that retaining vulnerability is not a weakness—it's a necessity, especially for actors. 'If you become thick-skinned to the point where you don't feel anything, I'm sorry, but you're just going to be a bad person… You need to build a thick skin, but also know when to let your guard down.' What's Next: Regional Dreams and Creative Depth Besides Kan Khajura, Trinetra is setting her sights on regional cinema, a space she finds artistically rich. 'I come from a mixed-language home, and I feel like regional cinema—Malayalam, Bengali—is doing such amazing work. I'd love to collaborate across languages and cultures.' Conclusion Trinetra's story is not just about being a trailblazer in medicine or entertainment—it's about navigating life's hardest moments with grace, intelligence, and unflinching honesty. As she redefines who gets to tell stories—and how—one thing becomes clear: Trinetra isn't just in the spotlight. She is the light.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
390 Varanasi gram panchayats now under CCTV surveillance
Villages in 390 gram panchayats of this district had been equipped with CCTV cameras to bolster security arrangements there as part of Operation Trinetra, a senior government official said, adding these devices were solar powered, and equipped with night vision and sound recording facilities. 'As many as 2,190 night-vision CCTV cameras have been installed in 390 gram panchayats of Varanasi...' said chief development officer Himanshu Nagpal, who is supervising the Trinetra initiative in the district. He added over the next two months, 1,500 more such cameras would be installed in the remaining 229 grams panchayats. A central command and control room would be set up at Vikas Bhavan from where all the cameras could be monitored, he added. On an average, five CCTV cameras were being installed to monitor the main streets and entry and exit paths in the gram panchayats. 'Panchayat Bhavans and government primary and upper primary schools in these gram panchayats have also been equipped with a CCTV camera each,' he added. All these cameras had been linked with police stations and offices of the block education officers of the respective areas, said Nagpal adding the BDO would monitor the schools through the cameras, said Nagpal. 'Control rooms are being set up at every developmental block and the cameras will be connected with them for regular monitoring,' he added.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
India Is Testing New Defense Technologies That Mirror Russia And Ukraine
Over the past three years, the Russia-Ukraine War has transformed modern warfare, as new technologies are being rapidly developed and fielded to provide enhanced capabilities to the warfighters. Both countries are heavily leveraging commercial technology, especially in the drone and counter-drone space, to defeat traditional military systems, such as tanks and artillery. This shift has allowed different countries, including India, to become larger players in the defense technology domain. In particular, India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted a number of tests in the last few months on cutting-edge drone and counter-drone systems. Founded in 1958, the DRDO's mission is to reduce India's dependence on foreign defense systems by creating indigenous technologies. The organization currently employs more than 5,000 scientists in a broad network of laboratories and research centers. Despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on military modernization and domestic production, the DRDO still operates on a fairly limited budget compared to the defense budgets of other countries. As such, they appear to be prioritizing their research efforts, especially in the drone and counter-drone space, to align with technologies that are finding success on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. The DRDO has a long history of drone development efforts, having built a diverse fleet of autonomous vehicles that leverage domestic, commercial technology. The drones range from the Trinetra, a small quadcopter with advanced sensing and autonomy, to the Rustom, a larger fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying various payloads. The DRDO is transitioning these drones into products for the Indian military, while further developing them to have new capabilities. In the past year, the Indian army placed an order for 700 Trinetra drones. Meanwhile, the DRDO is continuing the development of the Archer-NG, the newest variant of the Rustom, which has reported range of 1,000 km with a payload capacity of 300 kg. More recently, the DRDO has been testing glide bombs, a variant of drone technology that has been used extensively by Russia in their missile strike campaigns. In early April, the DRDO successfully tested two glide bombs. The first, the Gaurav, which was developed with industry partners, is reported to have a range of 100 km and a weight of 1,000 kg. The second glide bomb, the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, has a similar range, but is smaller, only weighing 125 kg. However, it uses advanced optics for increased accuracy with a focus on striking airfields. According to both reports, the glide bombs successfully hit their targets. While air-based drones have shaped much of the current conflict, Ukraine has also demonstrated the strategic value of water-based drones, which have limited Russian operations in the Black Sea. The DRDO has followed suit, with its Naval Science and Technology Laboratory testing the High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV) in a lake in late March. The HEAUV is 10 meters long, weighs six tons, and carries a payload of advanced sensors. It is designed for 15 days of endurance at a cruising speed of 3 knots. The tests showed that the HEAUV could successfully navigate both underwater and on the surface. Once further testing is complete, the HEAUV will likely be used by the Indian Navy to monitor their maritime borders. With the rise of drone technology, there has been a corresponding push in counter-drone technology. Both Russia and Ukraine have deployed a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic solutions to neutralize aerial threats. Similarly, the DRDO maintains a broad portfolio of counter-drone efforts, encompassing both types of systems. These technologies are at varying stages of technical maturity, with two recently reaching the testing phase. In February, the Research Centre Imarat, a DRDO laboratory, tested the Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD), a comparable system to the Igla-S, which the Russian military uses extensively to counter low-flying aerial threats. The VSHORAD is a man-portable system intended to engage drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft at a range up to 6 km using an infrared-homing missile. In the test, the VSHORAD successfully intercepted multiple small, low-signature drones. While conventional systems remain effective, both Russia and Ukraine are advancing new counter-drone technologies as well. One of Ukraine's most recent innovations is the Tryzub, a laser weapon designed to shoot down aerial threats. India has taken a similar approach. In mid-April, the DRDO tested the Mk-II(A) Laser Directed Energy Weapon system, which uses radar and electro-optical sensors to track low-flying targets, including quadcopters and helicopters. Once a target is identified, a 30-kilowatt laser delivers structural damage to disable the aircraft. The system was developed by the DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, with support from Indian industry and academic institutions. It was successfully tested earlier this month, shooting down a small Chinese-manufactured drone. The Russia-Ukraine War is highlighting the fast-paced future of defense technology, particularly in the drone and counter-drone sectors. While the United States, Russia, and China have long dominated many military systems, this field has seen a broader range of countries rapidly developing new capabilities. India is emerging as a key player. Recent testing by the DRDO shows India's ability to quickly develop critical drone and counter-drone technologies that have found success on the modern battlefield. As these systems mature, they will equip Indian forces and potentially support foreign military sales, boosting India's presence in the global arms market. More broadly, these efforts will strengthen India's defense industrial base, allowing India to position itself to be a more self-reliant and agile force in the evolving global defense landscape.
