Filmmaker Onir opens up about casting a visually impaired actor as a queer opposite Barun Sobti in Tumhari Khushboo

(L-R) Shashi Bhushan and Barun Sobti in the film. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Empathy and authenticity have always driven Onir's queer-themed stories on screen. The filmmaker's next, a short film titled Tumhari Khushboo, is laced with the same qualities. What makes its casting notable is that Onir has roped in Shashi Bhushan, a visually impaired actor, to portray a queer and visually impaired character opposite Barun Sobti. "It is an intersectionality that is uncommon. I have several queer-themed films, but this one is special because we rarely see representations of queer characters with disabilities in films," Onir told mid-day, as he unveiled the film's poster on January 25.

Onir

Written by Ravi Asrani, Tumhari Khushboo is set in Mumbai and explores the relationship between Sunil, a visually impaired masseur, and Kamran, a sports instructor and his client. For Onir, authentic representation of Bhushan's character was critical to the storytelling. The director explained, "Though more vulnerable, Sunil is not seeking sympathy, nor does he play a victim. He is portrayed as someone who is independent and navigating the challenges of life just like anybody else does. Bhushan is a remarkable actor and a gifted musician, and his talent organically became part of the film during our workshops."

The 33-minute film was shot in Mumbai over three months. Onir elaborated, "In Mumbai, we have a massage parlour where the masseurs are visually impaired, so portions of the film are shot there. Then, we shot some parts in Bhushan's home, a space that he is familiar with. The story reminds us that love, desire, and vulnerability belong to everyone."