Nikkhil Advani and a still from Sabar Bonda

Back in 2003, Nikkhil Advani directed Kal Ho Naa Ho. The film subtly depicted homosexuality through the comedic misunderstanding between characters played by Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, often mistaken as a couple by Kantaben (Sulbha Arya).

Sharing his thoughts on how queer narratives should be approached in cinema, the filmmaker, who stepped into the indie space as an executive producer for Sabar Bonda, said, “Queer films should not be made commercially! A queer love story has so many complexities. It’s not only about sexuality. It’s about so many other things. When you make commercial, mainstream cinema, you have to work within a box. You have to work as per the formula. You have to have certain things which you think the audience is going to accept.”

Having helmed mainstream projects like Kal Ho Naa Ho, D-Day, Patiala House and Batla House, Advani believes indie cinema provides the creative freedom needed to do justice to sensitive subjects. 

“The hands of the directors are tied when it comes to commercial cinema because they are catering to such large and diverse audiences. So, it’s just not possible. A subject like this should be treated with the kind of nuance, subtlety, respect and dignity which it can only get from indie cinema. So when it comes to commercial cinema, we are happy with films on spies,” he adds.