Jaipur Literary Festival , 21st January 2023
By Sunaina Luthra
“You laugh with me its okay, you laughing at me is not okay”
A headstrong view by Onir—movie maker and now writer of the book ‘I am Onir & I am gay’! A riveting and inspiring memoir, the book has been co-authored by his sister Irene Dhar Malik
It is an engaging conversation on gender, queer identity and living as a member of LGBTQ community in India. Onir is candid in his interaction and does not shy away in sharing some of the most challenging events of his life; one being with the Ministry of Defense.
Did his sexuality pose threat to national security?
He recalls how a film script on a gay army officer saw resistance by the ministry and finally banned. The ministry found it derogatory and the movie did not see the light of the day.
Motivation behind the book?
My sister is the real inspiration behind the book. I was a bit intimidated to pen down my experiences for the fear of being attacked and the opprobrium I may have to face. He also finds it imperative to give young people references and speak for minority community.
He desperately believes that gay stories are still kept in a closet. He is a bit dismayed to see the narratives in Indian cinema revolve around acceptance and struggles of gay community. It is still far behind in scratching its knuckles to bounce on the success, happiness and celebration.
He finds it absurd that people who presume to be upholders of ‘Indian Culture’ forgot how our history has glorified queer identity. ‘Mahabharata’ is the world’s oldest representation of Trans-character – Sikhandi.
An engrossing session that left me with this thought:
Everything boils down to one thing that,
The truth is seldom palatable.