From Hiding Her Identity to Facing Police Brutality: The Unfiltered Journey of Khushi Shaikh, India’s Trailblazing Trans Model

In the labyrinth of Mumbai’s crowded streets and the shadows of its glittering nightlife, Khushi Shaikh’s story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and the relentless pursuit of dignity. As a trans woman, Khushi’s life has been a series of battles—against societal prejudice, poverty, police harassment, and the trauma of betrayal. Her journey, from forced anonymity in childhood to viral fame on social media, exposes the raw realities faced by thousands like her in India.

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A Childhood in Disguise

Khushi’s earliest memories are of being forced by her mother to wear boys’ clothes to school, a desperate attempt to conceal her true identity from a judgmental society. “My mother hid me from the world, sending me to school dressed as a boy so no one would know I’m transgender,” Khushi recalls. The fear was rooted in widespread myths: that when a transgender child is born, a group will come and take them away. “It’s just stories people tell each other. No one can take a child without the mother’s permission,” she says, debunking one of India’s most persistent misconceptions about the trans community.

Schoolyard Cruelty and Social Stigma

Despite her mother’s efforts, Khushi’s difference was impossible to hide. Teachers and classmates noticed her mannerisms, and she became the target of relentless bullying and exclusion. “I was called names, pelted with food, and punished differently by teachers,” she remembers. Even her relatives and neighbors shunned her family, fearing that associating with them would bring “impurity.” The isolation was profound: “People boycotted my mother, refused to drink water from our home, and filled our lives with hate.”

Struggling for Survival

Financial hardship forced Khushi to drop out after 12th grade, despite passing with first-class marks. She took up odd jobs—catering, courier services, anything to help her mother. Eventually, she found work dancing in bars, where for a brief time, she earned enough to support her family. But when Mumbai’s dance bars were shut down, Khushi was pushed to the brink. She stood at traffic signals, asking for money in the rain, facing not just hunger but the constant threat of sexual harassment and violence. “People assumed I was a sex worker just because of where I stood. The things they said to me, I can’t even repeat,” she shares.

Finding a Family and Facing Betrayal

A turning point came when Khushi met Salma Khan, a respected figure in the trans community, who became her guru and opened her home to her. But life’s trials were far from over. Khushi underwent gender-affirming surgery, a decision driven first by her own need for authenticity and later, heartbreakingly, by love. Her second surgery, motivated by a relationship, went horribly wrong, leaving her bedridden and abandoned by the man she had trusted. “It was the worst decision of my life. I ruined a year for someone who left me at my lowest,” she confesses. Depression followed, but Khushi clawed her way back, aided by her guru and sheer willpower.

Police Harassment and Legal Battles

Khushi’s story is also a testament to the dangers trans people face from law enforcement. She recounts being beaten and falsely accused by police in Ajmer, spending nights in jail and fighting a case that drags on to this day. “Police never believed us, treated us like jokes, and even stole our money,” she says. Only the intervention of a compassionate female constable brought some justice, leading to the suspension of the officer responsible.

A New Identity and Viral Fame

Despite the trauma, Khushi found a new path through social media. Her dance videos went viral, and she became a sought-after guest at events and makeup seminars. “People who once refused to work with me now approach me,” she says, though she avoids brand collaborations that demand perfection or English fluency. Her mother, once forced to hide her, is now her proudest supporter.

Changing Attitudes, Ongoing Struggles

Khushi’s journey reflects broader changes in Indian society—slow, uneven, but real. She notes that while opportunities for trans people are increasing, stigma and myths persist, and true acceptance remains rare. “Transgender people are still seen as dancers, beggars, or sex workers. Few believe we can be doctors or engineers,” she laments.

Dreams for the Future

Today, Khushi dreams of dancing in Bollywood alongside her idol, Shah Rukh Khan. Her message is clear: “Never ruin your life for someone else. Love yourself first.” Her story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to live authentically in a world determined to deny you your truth.