Ivanka Das (born as Arandeep Das) is an Indian actress, dancer, choreographer, and model.[1][2] She is known for her participation in the Indian reality television show Dance Deewane, the films Haddi and Ghoomer, as well as the Netflix series Bombay Begums.
Ivanka Das | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Kolkata, India |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Dancer, Model |
| Television | Dance Deewane |
Early life
editDas was born in Kolkata as a boy, and grew up in a conservative family in Mumbai and Kolkata.[1][2] Both of her parents died during her childhood.[2] She has said she always identified as female, and experienced gender dysphoria, but after visiting the Iskcon temple of Lord Krishna, understood she is a woman, "and through that spirituality, I got inner power and felt I was reborn."[1]
She moved to Delhi and began working as a choreographer, and also experienced illness and hair loss, ultimately shaving her head.[2] She was then recruited to become a model and moved to Mumbai.[2]
Career
editBeginning in 2017, after an invitation from Keshav Suri of the Lalit hospitality chain,[3] Das has worked as a dancer at the Kitty Su club in Chandigarh,[1] and in Kitty Su drag nights nationwide.[2] She also became a popular contestant on Dance Deewane.[2]
In 2019, she was featured on an online cover of Vogue India[4][5] as part of a celebration of the first anniversary of the Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India decision that decriminalized consensual sexual conduct between adults.[6] She told Vogue India in 2019, "I am a trans woman and a fighter. And I will be a super star someday."[2]
In 2019, she debuted as an actress in the web series Ye Hai #Mandi, in the role of Kareena, a brothel owner.[7] In 2020, she had a supporting role in the Netflix web series Bombay Begums[8] as the character Beauty, a trans woman.[9]
In 2020, she was featured in the MTV Beats Love Duet album song "Khud Ko Hi Paake" with Nikhita Gandhi.[10][11]
In 2023, Ivanka was featured alongside Abhishek Bacchan, Shabana Azmi and others in the Bollywood film Ghoomer.[12][13][14][15]
Television and web series
edit- Dance Deewane
- Ye Hai #Mandi
- Bombay Begums
- (Sonu Ka Dhaba) on Dangal TV
- Maja ma
- Sunflower_(web_series)
- Ghoomer (2023)
- Haddi (2023)
References
edit- ^ a b c d Sarrubba, Stefania (15 November 2018). "Bald and bold: this beautiful trans model is challenging stereotypes in India". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Siganporia, Shanhaz (16 September 2019). "Drag queen, Ivanka Das on being rejected by her family and finding her voice". Vogue India. Condé Nast. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Mukherjee, Oindrila (2 November 2017). "'Gender is identity, sex is what you are born with'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Meet India's top drag queens". Rediff.com. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Katz, Evan Ross (5 October 2020). "Why Did 'Vogue' Take So Long to Give Drag Queens a Cover?". Paper. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Sachdeva, Maanya (12 September 2019). "What went into the making of Vogue India's September 2019 issue". Vogue India. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Transwoman actress was uncomfortable doing intimate scenes in debut show". Zee News. IANS. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Web series Bombay Begums to stream on Netflix". The Indian Express. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Himani (1 April 2021). "Bombay Begums Centers the Queer South Asian Story I've Been Searching For". Autostraddle. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Nikhita Gandhi questions gender identity through 'Khud ko hi paake'". The Siasat Daily. IANS. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "What's gender got to do with love, questions Nikhita Gandhi". The Tribune. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Abhishek Bachchan's Ghoomer Co-Star Saiyami Kher Thinks Film Is "Too Good To Be True"". NDTV. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Shabana Azmi wraps shoot of Abhishek Bachchan-led 'Ghoomer'". Times of India. Press Trust of India. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Ivanka Das: 'Ghoomer' is turning point in my career". The Times of India. IANS. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Prakash, Priya (17 August 2023). "'Talent Deserves Universal Respect:' Ghoomer Actor Ivanka Das". SheThePeople. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
External links
edit- Ivanka Das at IMDb