Onir has never felt the need to hide his sexuality. One of the few openly gay directors in the
Hindi film industry, the award-winning filmmaker has always been vocal about LGBTQ
rights. The director of films such as My Brother… Nikhil, Bas Ek Pal and I Am among others
believe the film industry needs to be more inclusive and empower the LGBTQ community
to tell their stories. With June being the Pride Month, Onir tells TMM what more needs to be
done in order to normalise the LGBTQ life.
In retrospect, have you ever regretted coming out?
I didn’t have a formal coming out. I’ve always been open about my sexuality with my family
and friends and always been accepted for who I am. I never tried to hide it, neither did I go
out of my way to tell people. I decided to speak when My Brother… Nikhil came out because
till then my voice didn’t really matter beyond my home space. I really believe that had to be
done because I am a part of a group of people who have been constantly advocating for
equal rights for all. I try and use my voice in cinema for it whenever possible. It’s very
important because I constantly get messages from young people who are still scared of
coming out to their family and friends. I know people say that coming out is a choice and
one shouldn’t judge, but I’m sorry, I judge. Cinema is a platform that has been given to me
and I need to empower other people. They should feel that if he can do it, I should also not
be scared. There is a lot more that needs to be done, not only for people who are scared to
come out but also make this acceptance a reality from a number of other sections of society.
I have a huge respect for (athlete) Dutee Chand. It is anyway much more difficult for a girl
to come out, especially in a space like sports. I think she is such an inspiration for so many
youngsters.
Onir,Do you think decriminalising Section 377 has had an impact on the ground level?
It’s had a huge effect! A lot many young people, especially those who are independent, are
now willing to come out because they are not legally criminal. You can also fight for your
rights. Of course, there is still an entire journey left of equal civil rights and social
acceptance. The LGBTQ life has to be normalised. The narratives need to be reworked.
Onir,Everyone in this country watches cinema and is impacted by it. Do you think
filmmakers and actors have a bigger responsibility when they tell LGBTQ stories?
Absolutely! Our film industry can be extremely irresponsible sometimes. They choose their
narrative according to their convenience. When it suits them, they say cinema influences
people and when it suits them, they say it’s just entertainment. The fact is that a lot of
young people emulate their stars, often in the wrong way. The film industry should be more
responsible. Films are a powerful medium. You can see how the way women are
represented is changing because a lot of incredible women directors, technicians and
writers are out there now. Similarly, the film industry needs to empower the LGBTQ
community to tell our stories. Very often, I see that LGBTQ stories revolve around sex.
Sorry, my life is much more that that. I feel there is much more inclusion happening on the
corporate level but I don’t see that happening in my industry.
Some recent films like Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh
Aisa Laga have dealt with homosexuality. What do you feel about them?
They expect us to be grateful. I find it almost humiliating. I think these films have been
made thinking ‘chalo yeh issue utha lete hain’. We are not issues. Fire was made in 1997.
Where do we have that kind of guts or empathy? I was watching a 2011 film called
Weekend. You can see the comfort that the actors have. Everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio
to Al Pacino have played LGBTQ characters in Hollywood films with comfort, without
making a big hoo-haa about it. That comes with a certain amount of respect. They are not
dealing with issues. They are just telling stories and that’s what is needed here.
The post The LGBTQ life has to be normalised: Onir appeared first on TMM.