The much-needed change in the Indian film industry has started and the biggest example of all time is ‘Sisak’- India’s first silent LGBTQ film that has won 60 international awards till date. Faraz Arif Ansari is the filmmaker who has initiated this change and for him, it all began in 2008 when he decided to be an independent filmmaker. Faraz, right after finishing the cover shoot for TMM, recalls 
on a telephonic conversation, “I was working on films like Taare Zameen Par, Stanley ka Dabba, and Silvat, when I realized that these are not my kind of stories. I wanted to make mainstream queer stories and for that, I had to start fresh.” Cut to January 2017, Sonam Kapoor unveiled the trailer of ‘Sisak’ and Faraz’s brainchild started receiving all the love and rest, as they say, is history. Excerpts from the interview:
Sisak has set a milestone for the Indian film industry. What do you have to say about the success of Sisak?
I wrote ‘Sisak’ in the winter of 2013 when the Supreme Court went back on section 377 and an entire section of the population was declared as criminals for loving. For a moment I had no words to express myself and that is when I decided to let the silence speaker louder and it took me three long years to gather the courage and wisdom to make ‘Sisak’. I wanted to address homophobia and fear that nestles in the hearts and minds of people. It was never made to achieve awards or bring fame and money. I wanted to reach out to those living in 
a suffocated space and show them a love that is like all other loves. The fact that it happens between two men doesn’t change a thing. Love is love. And today, when I meet people or come across their messages on social media about how the film helped them accept their identity, gives me a sense of satisfaction and a pleasing smile.
How did the idea of Sheer Qorma happen to you?
I had travelled to around 250 film festivals with Sisak, and I was at Harvard University for screening and during the interaction with audience post-screening a woman asked me, “When are you going to make a film on queer women?” At that very moment, I had no answer, and somewhere it left a mark and later I happen to meet a real-life queer women couple in Boston, of which one was Indian and the other was from Pakistan. I went on a dinner with them and tried to know more and in 2019 I wrote Sheer Qorma.
With Sisak’s success was it difficult to write your Sheer Qorma with all the pressure around you?
Well, I have a quality of detachable attachment. Once a film is released, I can’t do anything about it. All I can do is give my love and blessings to it and I simply move on to my next plan. That is what I did with Sisak too. As far as people and pressure are concerned, I have a very clear mindset of making films which I believe in. I will never make a film, just because people want me to do so. As a creative person, I need to be honest to deliver the best and Sheer Qorma is a result of that honesty. (winks)
With your cinema, are you trying to tell a story with an agenda?
The sole purpose of my cinema, which draws inspiration from real-life stories is to bring about a solid change. We have been mistreated, insulted, and even killed without any reason. With cinema, I want to make it normal, which is often quoted as ‘abnormal’ by the so-called society, and wish to make it mainstream so that it reaches even the innermost corners of the world. I feel it is time to get on center-stage and start talking. We’ve lingered far too long in the shadows.
What do you have to say about toxic masculinity spread across Indian society?
In India, we love stereotyping and that is one of the root causes of toxic masculinity. I knew about it before I started working on Sisak, but my first-hand experience happened when two big names withdrew their name right before the film went on floor. The moment you start working beyond the conventional roles, it makes people restless. And for big actors, from brand association to public image, everything is at risk and that is the reason, many actors refuse to do queer projects. This idea of stereotyping is deeply rooted in our society and the change will happen only when we speak and start a dialogue about it.
What’s your take on religion-based queer initiatives in a democratic setup like India?
It is much-needed because people are narrow-minded and they see things and others through the lens of 
religion. This might sound sad, but many Muslim citizens are still not in terms with my identity. I think religion-based initiatives will make it easier in terms of acceptance, further bringing all community people together under the umbrella of proud citizens of India.
Any memorable moments from the shooting schedules of Sheer Qorma that you would like to share?
(Laughs) It was the first day of the shoot and we are doing the climax scene with Shabana (ji). After every take, she used to come behind the camera to take a look at the shot ‘Okayed’ by me. After seeing the most crucial scene of the climax, she cried, held my hand, and said, “Bahut khoobsurati se kaam karte ho tum Faraz. Your direction has no male gaze. Tum har cheez ko mohabbat se dekhte ho”. That was the day and ever since then, she trusted my vision and direction and never came back behind the camera. I guess those words reflected her trust in me as a filmmaker and I can never forget that for life.
95% of the crew of Sheer Qorma were women. Was it an intentional move or did it happen by chance?
It was a conscious decision because, in India, we only talk about representation in front of the camera, and we never talk about what’s the ratio behind the camera. And as a filmmaker, I feel that such a move reflects on screen as well. From energies, spaces, to vibes, everything looks very refreshing. I remember on day 1 when Shabana (ji) walked in, she looked around and asked me where are the men?
Any piece of advice for aspiring young filmmakers?
All I have to say is don’t make films for the sake of getting a name, fame, and money. Film making is an art but more than that it’s a social responsibility, because, in a country like India, we eat, live, and dream cinema. So, make sure that when you plan to make a film, it should come from a place of responsibility and not just a job that will help you earn money.
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