Filmmaker Onir opens up on the Gay Bombay Icon Award honour
Filmmaker Onir opens up on the Gay Bombay Icon Award honour
National award winner Onir has been honoured with the prestigious Gay Bombay Icon Award by Gay Bombay. The organisation is one of India’s most prominent LGBTQ+ organisations.
Notably, Onir is one of India’s first openly queer filmmaker. He has long been a pioneer in bringing LGBTQ narratives to the forefront of mainstream Indian cinema. His recent movie, “We Are Faheem & Karun”, narrates the story of Faheem, a young Kashmiri man, and Karun, a security guard from Kerala stationed in the remote Gurez region, who fall for each other.
Amidst an interview, the filmmaker had noted that his aim has always been to bring forth queer stories, otherwise subdued or ignored. Adding that most of the films with mainstream presence are from a very heteronormative perspective. It’s very populist. The queer community is always full of gratitude that someone’s speaking about them. He feels for him, it’s a constant struggle because his stories are not populist in terms of the style. They are stories that are important to be told. He also feels important as a member of the queer community to reach out. He looks forward to the day when maybe the studios, actors and the entire atmosphere would look at a queer film also as just another film, which is a good story, that needs to be made and seen.
About the recent recognition, Onir said, “To be honoured by Gay Bombay, an organisation that has been such an integral part of India’s queer journey, is deeply humbling. When he started out as a filmmaker, he often felt alone in the industry, carrying stories that many didn’t want to hear, and faced resistance for being unapologetically myself.
Over the years, it has been the community, their solidarity, and the courage of countless queer individuals that has given me strength to keep going. This award is not just about me, but about all of us who continue to dream of a society where our stories are not silenced, where our identities are not questioned, and where love and dignity are non-negotiable. To receive this honour in Mumbai, the city that gave me both a home and a voice, makes it all the more special.”
Gay Bombay founded in 1998, has consistently worked to promote LGBTQ+ rights in India by creating safe spaces for the community through workshops, film screenings, awareness drives, and social events. The Gay Bombay Icon Award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing queer representation and rights in society.
News Edit KV Raman
