Onir on Pride Month: Bollywood needs to move beyond acceptance stories of the LGBTQIA+ community

As Pride Month draws to a close, filmmaker Onir talked about the LGBTQIA+ representation in the Indian film industry, the director, who is currently in Goa to support a three-day-long LGBTQIA+ festival in Vagator, said that Bollywood needs to move beyond acceptance stories of the community.

In an interview with Goa Times, Onir said that Despite being the world’s largest film industry, Bollywood only produces about two films about the LGBTQIA+ community per year. However, the director also mentioned that some memorable characters are written in films like Aligarh and independent filmmakers are coming up with interesting stories. Talking about the other mainstream industry, he said, “Most of the LGBTQIA+ films revolve around the same kind of acceptance stories that I did with My Brother… Nikhil 17 years ago. I think it's time we move beyond that.” He also said that his life is not about heteronormative society accepting him but he is celebrating his life and those stories of celebrations are not represented in films.

Onir has also mentioned in the interview that he has been stereotyped too. He said that while all his films are not just about queer relationships, he has often been identified as one who just makes queer films. He also said that he receives a lot of hatred on social media but the love he receives is a lot more.

The filmmaker has also said that change is happening in India. Identifying the fact that the country has a diverse society and the sense of acceptance differs from a metro city to small towns, Onir pointed out that there have been inevitable changes in India.

Onir has also ready with his memoir, I am Onir and I am Gay. He believes that his book will empower the LGBTQIA+ community.