Sushant Divgikar aka Rani Ko-HE-Nur: ‘I hate when corrupt people exploit innocent people and that is what I aim to eradicate eventually’ – Exclusive | – Times of India

Sushant Divgikar, or as her loved ones call her Rani Ko-HE-Nur, has always been a force to be reckoned with in the world of performance art. As a singer, drag artist, and trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community, Sushant has consistently shattered stereotypes and created safe spaces for authentic representation.
Recently, Sushant by headlining a massive festival in Gujarat, took their artistry to an unprecedented level. A performance in front of a 3,00,000 audience not only highlighted the impressive talent but also underscored Sushant’s mission to break barriers for trans individuals in mainstream culture.
“This is a big win for ART! Art without labels and art without barriers. The fact that I headlined a Navratri festival- one of the biggest in Gujarat, is a testament to the statement I often make, art has no gender,” he mentioned.
“This is going to have a massive impact on how people and society perceive transgender individuals! I know that even if one person was moved and wowed by my performance, I have succeeded in what I was sent to do on this planet! My purpose is to create this change through art and the fact that Navratri is one festival that doesn’t discriminate makes it even better,” he added.
In the conversation, when asked what opportunities he foresees for trans artists in mainstream Indian culture, Sushant replied, “I have been pushing the envelope and I now believe I’ve finally torn it! There was a time when artists were not judged based on their artistry but on their characteristics that had nothing to do with their artistry or art! Times have changed and now I believe that people within the industry have no choice but to be respectful to everyone around them. I have been thriving in an industry or rather a society that is largely unaware of the struggles of transgender people and therefore I cannot afford to stop any time soon.”
Further, reflecting on the decision to give a record-breaking performance during the recent festivities of Navratri, Sushant shared with us, “I can’t think of any other festival where people from all walks of life will come together and dance together under the moon and celebrate the divine feminine! This is one of the most amazing festivals in India and I am a bhakt of Devi Maa as many already know. It was a matter of time really! I should’ve headlined for a Navratri festival much earlier in my career but as they say, better late than never.”
As a trailblazer for the trans community, Sushant’s passion drives to challenge societal norms and pave new paths for trans individuals in India. “When I see inequity and inequality around me, it makes my blood boil. I hate when corrupt people exploit innocent people and that is what I aim to eradicate eventually! Every child deserves education, healthcare, and unconditional love! The gender of the child doesn’t matter, these are basic things every child should be given and sadly, this is not the case,” said the artist.
“This is why I feel my activism is as important as my art and now I have noticed that my art itself has always been activism,” Sushant concluded.