I just died when Trudeau said, ‘Hey, finally, Mr Gay India,’ recalls Sushant Divgikar

The gay icon was one of the youngest invitees at the reception held in Mumbai

For Sushant Divgikar, a model, actor and singer, meeting Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau was a dream come true and he can’t believe that “it actually happened”. Having won Mr Gay India in 2014 and represented the country at Mr Gay World pageant the same year, Sushant feels “honoured” to be one of the youngest invitees at the reception held for the Canadian PM in Mumbai on Tuesday evening. Dressed in a baby pink suit, Sushant admits that he had “the ultimate fan boy moment” meeting Trudeau and his wife, who are on a week-long visit to India. We talked to Sushant right after the event. Excerpts:

So, you’ve finally met the Canadian PM. How was it? He is an amazing person — patient and welcoming of each and every person who had come to meet him on stage. He is not only intelligent and empathetic but also extremely good looking. He looked like a prince from an Indian fairytale.

What was the first thing that he said to you when you went up on the stage?

He recognised me and said, ‘Hey, finally, Mr Gay India. It’s lovely to meet you. I have heard a lot about you.’ I just died [got stunned] (laughs). I have performed for the Canadian Consulate in India and collaborated with them earlier. He knew who I was and it touched me and I got gooosebumps. I would always remember this moment. He also complimented me on my pink suit and said that he was looking at me in the queue because I stood out as everyone else was wearing black. I told him how my mom wanted me to wear a sherwani but I chose to wear a suit.

What is it about Justin that inspires you the most?

He understands and empathises with people of all kinds of communities. He was so warm that I felt that we were not welcoming him, it was him, who was welcoming us into his heart of love and acceptance. I want the world leaders to be as open-minded and as progressive as him.

What all did you get to discuss with him?

I met him briefly. We discussed that we’ll definitely collaborate more and I will see him, soon, in Canada. When I mentioned to him about my participation at the international pageant, he was like ‘we need more people like you. I am glad to meet you’. That simply made my day (sigh)! To get an acknowledgment from a world leader was an honour. I met his wife and colleagues, too. They said that they’d love to see me in Montreal, performing for them.

What are his views on LGBTQ+ community in India?

He has always been supportive of the community. And not just him, even ministers from his cabinet said that we should definitely collaborate. They were not aware of what my organisation does and that I’ve taken the franchise of Mr Gay India forward, after I won the pageant. So, I am surely going to be in touch with them. He has also created a team in India that is involved in LGBTQ+ events and I have attended conferences and have been on the panel and hosted events for them earlier, too.