Actor Sanjay Suri was just five years into his Bollywood career when he took on the titular role in filmmaker Onir’s 2004 film My Brother...Nikhil. Suri also co-produced the film, that focussed on the stigmas attached to HIV, a move that was not well-received by critics.

On World Aids Day today, the actor recalls, “Initially, I was told, ‘Hey, this is just the beginning of your career. This is commercial suicide’.” He adds, “But we wanted to tell the story and I am really glad that I did that [co-produced the film].”

Starring actors Juhi Chawla, Purab Kohl and Victor Banerjee, My Brother... was applauded for its message in the international film circuit. However, Suri, now 53, says that the Bollywood “ignored” the project. “The film was loved all over the world and was used colleges and even the armed forces for advocacy and sensitisation [but] we didn’t get any recognition at home despite winning accolades all over the world,” he reveals.

In the sea of re-releases, one wonders if the film might be treated any differently now. Suri muses, “These things keep happening one-off, but a commercial release has a big dependence on advertising and I don’t think that’s the answer.”

But despite a disappointing reception, Suri tells us that he is still witnessing the impact of the film 20 years on. “I personally know families both in India and the US who felt disconnected from HIV-positive family members. Their perceptions around HIV changed after watching the film,” he shares, adding, “I still meet youngsters in their 20s, who are discovering the film now.”