Home / Arts and Entertainment / Queer Love Beyond Sight: Onir's New Film Explores Sensory Romance
Queer Love Beyond Sight: Onir's New Film Explores Sensory Romance
23 Feb
Summary
- New short film 'Tumhari Khushboo' focuses on a visually impaired masseur and his client.
- The story explores queer identity and affection through sensory perception, not sight.
- Filmmaker Onir addresses the intersection of queerness and disability in Indian cinema.
Filmmaker Onir is set to release his new LGBTQ+ short film, 'Tumhari Khushboo,' starring Barun Sobti and visually impaired performer Shashi Bhushan. This project marks Onir's return to exploring queer narratives, following his acclaimed 'My Brother... Nikhil.'
The film centers on Sunil, a visually impaired masseur, whose life is transformed by the arrival of Kamran, a sports instructor. Played by Bhushan and Sobti respectively, their bond grows through heightened sensory experiences, emphasizing touch, sound, and scent over visual cues.
Penned by Ravi Asrani, the script navigates the intersection of queerness and disability, aiming to portray its protagonist with dignity and agency. Onir highlighted the scarcity of such intersectional narratives in Indian cinema.
The short film was shot over three months in Mumbai, striving for authenticity by filming in real locations, including a massage center run by visually impaired therapists.
