The next Onir project, we are the sequel to my national award winner, has been in the news after one of the scripts of the four part anthology was rejected by the Ministry of Defense last month because it showed the character of an officer as a gay of this film based on the life of the former Major Army J Suresh, who stopped Troops when he felt he did not lead an honest life there.
UnderesterRed, Onir has sent fresh attraction to the Ministry who describes the manuscript in detail, and why he must be allowed to continue the film.
In exclusive chat with us, he opened this appeal, film, and others …
P.
The Ministry of Defense has refused scripts a few weeks ago.
How do you aim to convince them otherwise with your fresh attraction?
I have appealed to the Secretary of the defense stating that this story, although based on real people, Retd) J Suresh, was only inspired by him.
I have emphasized that this is my constitutional right, and that the Supreme Court has decreased part of 377 and we need to have a discourse on diversity too.
I also mentioned that the film did not stay away from our culture.
My appeal stated that as a filmmaker, I should not be stopped from overcoming this topic.
It is unfair in a democratic country.
Q.
What is the reason given to you for the last rejection?
I got an email that said the Ministry of Defense could not clean the script.
My appeal exactly stated that I did not give discourse about how the army function, also did not say anywhere that the army discriminated for or that the officers had a fight with authority about wanting his rights.
The script only said that the person, at a certain point, felt that he did not lead an honest life because he had to hide his identity, and so, he stopped.
I just emphasized that this story was based on real incidents and was not intended to demean anyone.
Read Alsomajor J Suresh reacted to Onir films in gay army men rejected; say the Ministry of Defense must be more inclusive
Q.
What about the support of your colleagues, financially and vice versa?
No one from the film Brotherhood has advanced to support me.
From the LGBTQIA + community, many people say they will help combine the project.
But this is a tiring process and there are many complications involved.
Until now I tried to get permission for scripts.
If that doesn’t happen, then I will look for another way to tell this story.
This story will bring the audience to more reception and awareness.
And it will also show how difficult it is for people to live with their identity, and the emotions they are through.
That is the whole movie goal.
After news rejection went bankrupt, some soldiers had come out and wanted to talk about their stories too.
I thought it was the beginning of the dialogue.
P.
Do you see the difference in the way the new age film touches the representation of the LGBTQIA + community?
We certainly come far from being caricatures, to have real characters.
But we still have straight actors who describe strange characters.
Today, we have many proud artists like Sushant Divgikr who can take such roles.
It is important for us to start empowering the people we are talking about.
It is a big step towards diversity and inclusion.
P.
has been three years since decriminalizing part 377 and acceptance of the same sex partner.
Where did you see us head now?
Although there are more efforts to sensitize, I have never faced a sensor for my film before 2018.
Other people might take steps to receive and understand our identity, but my life is not about baby steps anymore.
I want to tell a real story.
People call me a panel discussion about inclusion, and tell me ‘Oh! My brother Nikhil is a phenomenal film and you have to do more things like that! ‘.
But when I did it and reach out funds, I only met silence.
For the largest film industry in the world, the reception is very lacking.
If the industry truly understands and wants to support the community, support must exceed promotional activities, or during the proud month.
Also read: Our troops are known to be progressive and I want to believe it will be quite open to change, to celebrate inclusion and diversity – exclusive