There’s been a constant debate about actors from the LGBTQIA community not getting lead roles in mainstream cinema, even when the story is about queer experiences or the community. Filmmaker Onir, known for films like My Brother Nikhil and I Am, has now changed the tide by casting Delhi-based actor Vidur Sethi, who identifies as queer, as a lead in his upcoming film Pine Cone. The film marks Vidur’s debut in Hindi cinema, and the story will map the journey of the protagonist through a decade, narrating his life and romantic experiences. In a chat with us, Onir and Vidur spoke about how the casting decision was made, were there any inhibitions, and more. Excerpts:

Onir: This would have happened with We Are (the sequel to I Am) itself, had the film not got delayed. But I knew I had to break the mould. I’ve noticed that male actors get a little awkward and uncomfortable doing intimate and romantic scenes with other men. Many of them say that this won’t be the right move for them at this point in their career. They have no qualms about playing a rapist but playing a gay man on screen is an issue for many. That said, I really wanted to cast a queer actor, because the film shows tender romance between a gay couple. Working with a queer actor brings along experiences that enrich the scene and the film. They celebrate their desire and are not ashamed of it.

Vidur: There is a lot of sanitization that happens when it comes to showing stories about queer folks. Once, Onir sir was discussing all this and how there are going to be intimate scenes and actors should let him know if they are comfortable. That is when I told him you don’t have to worry about it, because I’m a queer person and I understand the requirements as an artist and a gay person. I told him I understood the need to show the romance between two people the way it actually happens. It is not just some scenes, but a full-blown romance. We have seen and heard about the coming out stories and the tragedies, but we hardly see a romantic story that takes the story ahead and delves into intimacy and interpersonal relationships in queer narratives. He asked once if we were fine with acting in a film that is not censored in any way. That is when I told him that I see my queerness not only in sexuality and gender, but as the future imaginary, which opens plurality of existence.

Onir: Even if the intention and acting is great, straight actors lack intimacy while enacting gay persons onscreen. And by intimacy I do not mean sex, it is about the connect – like how the touch is not deep enough. Gay roles have been sanitized because not many actors are comfortable doing that. That is why it is important to have a queer gaze and not just create a movie for acceptance of the heteronormative population.

Vidur: I think the queer gaze is different – because the conflicts that we go through, including dismantling the family, new meaning of family, friendships, companionship, these experiences are different from the heteronormative ones. The queer gaze provides a perspective into difficult conversations that need to be held. And this is true in the context of any other marginalised community or group. Moreover, it brings more employability. There are many actors, scriptwriters and directors who are hanging in the background due to lack of exposure.

Vidur: Earlier actors once cast as villains would get similar offers from other filmmakers, because they seemed to fit the role best. The same holds true for any kind of first outing. So, I might be stereotyped, but I’m not scared, and I can’t be either. No matter how much they box me, I’m a guy who loves taking challenges and likes to break out of the box. It is also on us as actors to be able to take all kinds of reactions, criticism, typecasting, and still be comfortable in our skin. I would love to do as many queer roles as possible, but I also want to play other characters. So, I’m not going to stereotype or limit myself as an actor. If someone else does, it is their perception. I just want to focus on my craft, work hard, make mistakes and learn from them and keep moving forward.

Onir: I’m in a way happy that I did not know about Vidur’s sexual orientation before casting him, even though I had been looking for a good queer actor as the lead. But I thought that as a filmmaker I do not want to push anyone to come out, because it is a cruel industry, and I would not want their careers to be at stake. During a discussion of the scenes, Vidur said to me that he understood what I was trying to show, because he identified as queer and had felt all this. For me, it was a beautiful discovery. I’m happy he did not hide his identity. He is a good actor and I would want to see him in non-queer roles too!