Kolkata: The defence ministry has rejected the script of Onir’s next feature film inspired by the real-life story of a gay Major who quit because it was no longer tenable for him to remain a homosexual and be in the Indian Army. A sequel to his National Award-winning film titled ‘I Am’, the film was scheduled to be partly shot in Kolkata from April.

Lt-Colonel Sachin Ujjwal, in the the ADG strategic communication wing of the Army, sent an email to the director on Wednesday stating that the “content of the script received via email dated 16 December 2021 has been analyzed in detail. It is regretted that the script has not been cleared by the HQ of MoD (Army). Wishing you best of luck in all the future endeavours”.

In July last year, the defence ministry had written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the ministries of information and broadcasting and electronics and information technology to advise production houses to obtain an NOC from it before the telecast of any film, documentary or web series on the Army due to the portrayal of Army personnel and military uniform in “an insulting manner”.

“My protagonist is a jawan. His love remains unrequited till he leaves the Army and meets his lover in Kolkata,” he said. Onir’s plan was to develop the story for one of the films of ‘We Are’.

“The idea behind ‘We Are’ is to celebrate the Supreme Court verdict while highlighting four queer love stories about how society (including the Army) needs to take steps to be more inclusive and celebrate diversity, ” Onir said.

Onir is now talking to lawyers about his course of action. “Filmmakers are supposed to question through cinema. True democracy doesn’t exist unless it applies equally to all irrespective of gender, sexuality, caste class or religion,” he said.