Filmmaker Aushim Khetrapal Backs Film On Kinnar Community, Says ‘They Are Children Of God’

Cinema has often reflected society’s uncomfortable truths, but only a few filmmakers choose to focus on stories that rarely make it to the mainstream. This time, the spotlight is on a community that has long existed on the fringes despite being deeply woven into India’s cultural and spiritual fabric.

Actor and filmmaker Aushim Khetrapal is preparing to bring those stories to the screen with his upcoming film Children of God, a project centred on the Kinnar community and their place in society. Known for Shirdi Sai Baba, the actor says the film is an attempt to create awareness, encourage acceptance and highlight the struggles faced by the transgender community.

Explaining the idea behind the title, Aushim said according to HT, “We call them kinnar,

officially the third-gender or transgenders, but I believe they are true Children of God and that’s what we titled our film. The film is based on their true stories and their life. Our Sai Baba Foundation works for different causes, and this endeavour is to give voice to them and highlight their problems, so they get equal rights and respect in society.”

The actor, who was last seen in Baba Ramsa Peer, also spoke about the spiritual and cultural significance associated with the Kinnar community in Indian tradition.

“During my discourse and samagams, I have always said that the biggest sevas are cow seva and kinnar seva, other than feeding the poor. That’s the reason that after marriage or a child’s birth, kinnar seva is considered auspicious, and it’s believed that those blessings lead to a happy and successful life. In Ramayana and Mahabharat too, there is a strong mention about it,” he said.

Sharing his perspective further, the filmmaker added, “The fact is that they are blessed to take problems from people onto themselves, so they should not be called third gender but the first citizen, as they are children of God. The film gives a very strong and positive message. Today kinnars are doing so well, are so educated and getting into top job positions, but they are far and few.”

Aushim made it clear that the film is not being driven by commercial expectations. Instead, he hopes it will reach audiences across different platforms and start conversations around inclusion and equality.

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“The purpose of this film is not commercial. It may be a small theatre release, but the intent is to spread awareness and message to support the community through theatre, OTT, TV, YouTube and all possible mediums. I have lent my support toward the cause, primarily kinnars and the LGBTQIA community,” he said.

The idea for the project, according to the filmmaker, took shape after the pandemic during a visit to Azadpur in New Delhi along with director Arun Saxena.

“After the pandemic, I had gone to give a sermon to the kinnar community in Azadpur, New Delhi. I went there with Arun Saxena (a director). It was a tough phase, so we asked them to make masks. They made 15 lakh masks which were distributed to Sai Baba followers. We branded this as ‘Children of God’. He suggested directing a film on this subject with the same title, and I came on board as an actor and producer,” he recalled.

The film has been shot across Uttaranchal, New Delhi and several parts of Madhya Pradesh. Speaking about the plot, Aushim shared, “It’s a true story of a boy who left Uttaranchal. His father was a cop, and he had a tendency to convert into a girl. I play a spiritual mentor who is picking up the cause of kinnars. Thereafter, he goes to the kinnar community, gets transformed, and decides not to go back to his old life and prefers to stay with the community itself.”

He also revealed that around 40 members from the Kinnar community have acted in the film.

Apart from filmmaking, Aushim continues to stay active through his spiritual work and digital content. The actor, who has written nearly 70 books on Krishna, Sai Baba and spirituality, said, “Krishnaji and Baba have talked to a lot of kinnars and supported them. So, I am carrying forward their message to society.”

Talking about his upcoming projects, he added, “My daily YouTube show Sai Ki Mahima keeps me busy, and now the government’s OTT channel is doing an episode on it. Soon it will be on a commercial OTT channel as well. I have already shot a film Destiny with Mughda Godse, Kainat Arora and more; Chal Jeet Le Jahan on Indian para-cricketers who won the World Cup in 2019.”