Saptaparna Biswas (BOMBAY TIMES; September 13, 2018)

From being an openly gay person in the film fraternity to unabashedly presenting same-sex relationships on screen, filmmaker Onir had ensured his identity was never stifled. Amidst the struggle of presenting LGBTQIA themes in the most ‘normal’ way, when he heard about the historical verdict by Supreme Court, scrapping section 377 of IPC, he was among the first to celebrate the victory. When we met the jubilant director of I AM, he was more than happy to share his musings about the changing society and the way forward from here…

Let’s start right at the beginning, when you discovered yourself…
It was not the usual start, you know. Back in school, I used to be a desperate romantic, who would fall in love with every second girl and it was always disastrous. Eventually, I realised I like men, yet, I never felt the fear. All I told myself was that I won’t lead a double life and not lie to the girl I’m with. I thought of exploring my desire and attraction for other guys. I remember the early days when I used to go to online chat rooms and even go on blind dates, some of which were really catastrophic. For me, it has been a great adventure, and I’m glad my life went through all that. Most of my friends are not gay; I don’t define anyone by their sexuality. However, the true meaning of a person’s love has always eluded me. Since I was in the industry, it was difficult to understand why people love me. Is it because I’m who I am or because of the tag of a filmmaker that I carry. I have felt used at times, but I guess that has happened to everyone irrespective of their sexuality.

The scrapping of section 377 has been monumental for the LGBTQ community. What are your thoughts on it?
I am not a criminal anymore! It is truly empowering to have the law on your side. The community will now come out as they know people will treat them with respect. One won’t be scared to fall in love to fight for their rights. The whole secrecy which threatens the sanctity of many relationships will be gone. In fact, marriages would be better and by choice. People won’t have to lead dishonest or double lives anymore. I celebrate the fact that so much effort was put in by so many people, even when I had given up. Their efforts have paid off. Also, I am in awe of the bench and five judges who gave us more hope.

After attaining the legal right, what do you think is the way forward?
It is important to find a way to normalise people about the themes, that there is no difference between you and me, and it’s just the way we love is different. Each of us face similar relationship issues. As far as advocacy is concerned it should be handled a) at family level where they support choice of the individuals, important to counsel parents b) the schools and colleges should have inclusion of LGBTQ rights during sex education class. Because children are the future. My 14-year-old niece, had once started the conversation with ‘Mama, I know all about you, and I’m proud of it’ has now become my confidante too. It has also given her an opportunity to confide in me about her thoughts and musings on sexuality. This is the kind of confidence we have to instil in the upcoming generation.

What was your family’s take on your choice?
I have been fortunate that way. My family empowered me as right from day one I had complete acceptance from them and I know it means a lot. My parents, siblings, close ones accepted me as is, without even a discussion. I never had to hide myself. Similarly, in the workspace, I have not faced any issues because of my identity, but yes, the industry hasn’t been accepting of themes I want to present. Entertainment channels need to make concessions where such films and themes can be shown to bring more acceptance.

Currently, same sex love or attraction is portrayed in a manner of caricature. Do you think there will be a new thought process now?
It won’t change overnight, and honestly one cannot blame the industry. After all it goes according to box-office predictions. Even for me while I got the National Award for I AM, no television channel was ready to show it, despite having a U/A certificate because of the subject. So, filmmakers need support from every angle to be able to express such themes. Even now I’m struggling to fit Shab on satellite, yet it is not finding the due distribution for its subject. The audience will take some time to accept it, but we need to keep pushing the envelope. The more they see, the more accepting and understanding they will become. In Hollywood, there are films that are going to Oscar based on such themes. But that kind of support is missing here. Young filmmakers who want to work on such films don’t have the backing. We need the same celebration and support.

Millennials are more accepting of homosexuality. Do you think that will bring more progression in coming times?
I think ours is a divided society. There is a part of it that is educated, well-read and well off and accepts everything. But LGBTQ is beyond all these constructs. There are people from small towns who don’t know how to deal with it. So advocacy and awareness will have to go to the roots where people are facing this discrimination and start with them. There is a much wider area that we need to cover. The best way is to go back to our own culture. There is no book or adage in our culture that says it is a crime or a disease. None of our ancient scriptures claim this, and that is the biggest strength that we have. We need to reinterpret, redefine the beliefs. We should retain the good and work around the bad.

In the path ahead, what will be your contribution to the change?
My effort to tell stories the community connects with, will continue. It will take different shapes and forms as society changes. I will always be there as an artiste. But my definition is not just that of a queer identity, rather of a person who goes about spreading acceptance. This law means a lot to me, because during my relationships too, I have been with people where I have been open with, but the person due to fear of stigma quietly changes their stand last moment. I would realise how they left my side due to social pressure to get married or decide they are no longer LGBTQ. Such instances caused me a lot of pain. I feel now I can expect people I fall in love with to be more open and not be scared to be seen with me.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 5, 2017)

Onir’s film about a bunch of people in heterosexual and gay relationships in Shab has been denied the right to a television screening.

Producer Sheetal Talwar says, “We had an ‘A’ for theatrical release. This was fine. Shab deals with adult topics. We know children should not watch films with sexual content. So, before we applied for a new censor certificate for the home medium, we made suitable modifications. To our shock, we were told the film cannot be granted a ‘U/A’ because of its adult theme. This means we can’t show the film on television. For a small film, that did not do well at the box office, this is a huge financial blow.”

Sheetal reveals he was open to a dialogue to see how Shab could be altered for telecast. “But, now, according to a new policy at the CBFC, producers can’t have any dialogue or discussion with the panelists after they view a film. This basically means, once you are given a certification, you have to take it or appeal to the Tribunal.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 2, 2017)

After Fawad Khan’s role in Kapoor & Sons and Randeep Hooda’s in Bombay Talkies before that, it may seem like Bollywood has become more receptive to playing homosexuals on screen. However, director Onir staunchly disagrees that much has changed since he made My Brother... Nikhil in 2005. “These films are too few to even count. Bollywood still portrays the LGBT community in the same stereotypical way, and that’s disgusting. It’s so regressive,” says Onir who has no qualms about being open about his sexual preference, and has been fighting to remove the social stigma attached with the LGBT community.

The director, whose Shab with Raveena Tandon will soon release, admits that he went through the same wringer as the makers of Kapoor & Sons did to cast for the role of Rahul Kapoor in the film. Before Fawad was finalised, the part was turned down by as many as six A-listers, including Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, and Farhan Akhtar. “For Purab Kohli’s role in My Brother Nikhil, I had approached a few A-list stars who I don’t wish to name. They blatantly refused to play a gay character on screen. This has happened to me, too, so I know. There are very few actors who would be willing to portray such characters on screen. I have immense respect for them. But that again is a rare quality,” he signs off.

DNA (June 29, 2017)

Director Onir is a happy man. His film, Shab, that focuses on the sexual tension between a young struggler and an older socialite played by Raveena Tandon Thadani has got the censorial thumbs-up.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) known to be prudish and conservative about sex, has ordered no cuts at all. Though the film has been given an ‘Adult’ certification, Onir has no quibble with that. Says Onir, “I am delighted that my film has been left untouched, and pleasantly surprised that the CBFC asked for no cuts. Of course, it’s an ‘Adult’ film with adult situation. So it’s been appropriately certified.”

Onir was apprehensive about the CBFC’s response. He says, “I thought they’d ask for visual cuts. But they didn’t. Only a few negligible audio cuts that I am happily making because if the CBFC had not cut anything I’d have felt really insecure.”

So, how is it that a film about a sexual relationship has been treated so kindly by the CBFC? Says CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, “We have nothing against sex. We’ve passed Onir’s film without any cuts."

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; February 15, 2016)

The director says he has spoken to CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani about the lovemaking scenes, latter says he has never heard of the film
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 17, 2015)

There seems to be some miscommunication between Onir and chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Pahlaj Nihalani, over the bold scenes in the director's next film, Shab. The film is an intense love story and revolves around three central characters, played by Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht and Prosenjit Chatterjee's actress wife Arpita Chatterjee who makes her Bollywood debut.

Buzz is, it has some really steamy lovemaking scenes between Arpita and Ashish.

Confirming this, Onir who is busy with the post-production in UK, said, "Yes, there are some bold scenes between the two. There are so many other films that have such scenes. Mine have been aesthetically shot, so honestly, we don't think there should be a problem."

The filmmaker is confident that the scenes in question will not be snipped by the censors. He has already decided to request a U/A certificate from the CBFC. "If the Board has a problem, we can have a dialogue with them. I am ready to fight for the rating. I have even met with the chairperson (Pahlaj Nihalani). I would like to believe that they are open to discussion and I will be able to convince them," he asserts.

End of the story? No, hold on, there is a twist in the tale. When Mirror reached out to Pahlaj, he seemed clueless about the project. "I have never heard of this film. I have to see it first to give any comments on it," he said.

With Onir planning to release Shab by the end of the year or early next year, hopefully, this confusion is sorted out soon.

Raveena Tandon talks about refusing to do love-making scenes and chances of being edited out of Bombay Velvet.
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 28, 2014)

Raveena Tandon, the diva of the 90s, is gearing up for two releases in 2015 - Anurag Kashyap's Bombay Velvet, where she plays a jazz singer, and Onir's Shab.

According to the actress, she chose the two films as she has known both directors since they were newbies.

Sipping tea at a 5-Star in Goa, the actress says, "Onir and Anurag are my oldest friends! Sri Lanka (where Bombay velvet was shot) was like a picnic. We all worked out in the gym together, went swimming and enjoyed the jungle safari. Acting was what was happening on the sidelines!"

When asked if she is making an attempt to re-establish herself in the industry, the actress, known for films as varied as Mohra and Daman (which won her a National Award), says that is hardly the case. "There are no dearth of offers. But I have the liberty to say no. I don't have to build my career. It's not like my husband is out of job or I am divorced and poor and need to make a living out of films," she laughs.

"I will only take up a film which justifies the time that I spend away from my family. I don't want to waste my time doing something I'm not enjoying. I'd rather be at home when my son loses his first tooth than run from one studio to another."

She says she took up the role of a jazz singer in Bombay Velvet because it was something she hadn't attempted before. "Although a singer has dubbed for me, Anurag asked me to sing live. He wanted ever nerve to stand out. I hadn't done anything like this in my career," Raveena excitedly says, before adding that hers is only a special appearance in the Ranbir-Anushka starrer.

"I am not sure if my portions will be retained in the film, or it will fly out of the screen during editing! I hope I am in it."

As for Onir's upcoming drama Shab, Raveena says that didn't really step into Sangeeta Bijlani's shoes who was offered the part before her.

"I was the first choice of the film, some 10 years ago. I couldn't do it as I got pregnant with my first child. But as luck would have it, the film has once again fallen on my lap!

Was she comfortable doing the steamy scenes, which was the reason for Bijlani's exit? "No, there aren't any love-making scenes in the film. Onir has rewritten the script for me. He came to me and asked if I would do kissing scenes, I put my foot down."

But what makes her apprehensive of such scenes? "I didn't do such scenes during the peak of my career, so why would I indulge in them now?" she says, stressing that there are no intimate scenes in the film but a few romantic ones. "Nothing scandalous!" she promises.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 7, 2014)

Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 28, 2014)

Sangeeta Bijlani has opted out of her comeback film Shab and producer-director Onir has now replaced her with Raveena Tandon to play the elegant socialite.

"I am rewriting the part to suit Raveena who's younger than Sangeeta," says Onir who met the actress a few weeks ago.

Raveena is in Los Angeles and will start workshops from July 25 in Delhi.

It was the workshops which had scared Sangeeta who assumed that the intimacy would be projected through symbolic or suggestive visuals like in the 1990s. "The film is about modern relationships and sex is an integral part. There is a full blown love making scene and some kisses too which Sangeeta wasn't ready for," says Onir.

What if Raveena too develops cold feet? "I have known Raveena for 14 years. She knows how a script translates on screen and is prepared for the sensual scenes."

Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; June 19, 2014)

Onir's Shab was being touted as Sangeeta Bijlani's Bollywood comeback after a hiatus of two decades, but the feisty actress has backed out of it. Reason -the one-time screen scorcher is uncomfortable with the kissing, lovemaking and other intimate scenes that are an integral part of the script.

Apparently, Sangeeta started feeling uncomfortable once the workshops started. She confided in her director, who respected her concern and the duo decided to part ways as far as the film is concerned.

Said Onir, “I had approached Sangeeta some months ago as I felt she was perfect for the role of this high society diva. However, during the workshops, she developed apprehensions and said that she can't kiss or shoot certain bold scenes, which are important to the story . She wasn't comfortable with that kind of intimacy , so she decided to step back. As a filmmaker, I didn't want to compromise with the story and I was okay with letting her go, even though we have become friends in the past few months. I hope I will be able to find someone who will do justice to the role the way she could have."

Rachana Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2014)

She was last seen on screen 17 years ago in the ’97 film Jagannath. After that the former skipper of the Indian cricket team, Mohd Azharuddin entered the picture and Sangeeta Bijlani chose marriage over movies. But after 14 years of togetherness, the couple divorced and now Bijli is back to her first love. “I never thought of a comeback and am still not looking for a serious career reboot. There were offers earlier too but I wasn’t ready. It’s all about timing and Shab is an exciting project,” she says.

It started when the film’s director Onir met the 53-year-old former Miss India at designer Anita Dongre’s fashion show and made her an offer which she accepted after mulling over it for a couple of months. Sangeeta, who plays a high society fashionista, had a reading with him and co-star Arpita Pal yesterday and the film will roll in Delhi in June.

“Onir was confident that I fit the part and asked me to read it with an open mind,” she recalls. “We grew comfortable with each other and I gave him the nod because the role was well-sketched.”

She hasn’t signed another film yet but is open to good roles. “Today, the roles are braver and the choices diverse. I’m game for another film if it’s worth my time,” says the actress who has often been spotted with ex-boyfriend Salman Khan and his family since her divorce.

Given her closeness to the superstar’s younger sister, Arpita, has she discussed her career move with him? “I haven’t discussed Shab with Salman but I’m sure he is happy for me as he’s a supportive friend. I wouldn’t mind working with him but the energies have to be right,” she says.

Prod her on her ex-hubby who’s contesting for LS elections from Rajasthan and she clams up, “There’s a reason we call it the past. I don’t want to discuss Azhar. I’d rather focus on the present.” 
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Onir had given up on Shab, despite registering the script in 2001. “It was the first script I wrote but I couldn’t find the right mix of artistes and resources to turn it into a movie for 13 years. I’m really excited that we’re finally making it. I haven’t directed a film in a while,” says the filmmaker who was in Kolkata recently to pick clothes and jewellery for the film’s second lead Arpita Pal.

Sangeeta plays an elegant fashionista and as soon as he saw her looking like a million bucks at a fashion show, Onir knew he had found his leading lady. “She’s the right age and she’s generated a lot of curiosity about my film,” says Onir who has roped in Anita Dongre to supervise the styling. His co-producer, Sanjay Suri’s wife Ambika and he will work on individual looks of the cast. “Anita has been instrumental in getting this film going in a lot of ways,” he says. “She’s a friend and has worked with me before. It was a given that we’d associate again!”

Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; April 23, 2014)

Once known as the feisty Bijli, actress Sangeeta Bijlani almost withdrew from public life post her split with former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin. But last year, with the constant support she got from former beau Salman Khan’s sister Alvira, Bijlani started making her way back to public life, attending events, making appearances and maintaining a fitness routine to bring herself back to form. And now that the actress has found her mojo, she is ready to face the camera again, almost two decades after she shot her last film.

Bijlani has signed director Onir’s next film Shab, where she will play the role of a high society diva and ardent fashion patron. The movie is a love story based in South Delhi and will be completely shot there over the next six months. Bijlani, who met Onir at common friend and designer Anita Dongre’s fashion show, was approached by the director a few months ago and said yes after reading the script. According to our source, the actress plays one of the leads and she has already done a look test for her part. She starts shoot in a couple of months. Adds our source, “The movie required someone who had maturity but also innocence and elegance on her face. Sangeeta fit the bill perfectly.”

Onir has confirmed the casting.