Onir Talks About Actors Playing Queer Characters

In an Interview with Siddharth Kanan, the Director Expressed His Dismay at This Mindset, Onir Noted That Actors Fear Playing Queer Characters Due to Concerns About Public Perception. He Remarked, "They Aren’t Ashamed to Play Rapists, They Aren’t Ashamed to Play Murderers, but to Play a Beautiful Gay Person They’re Afraid. Their Mentality Hasn’t Evolved." Drawing a Contrast with Hollywood, He Pointed out That Many Prominent Actors There Have Successfully Portrayed Queer Characters, Showcasing a More Evolved Approach.

Onir on Pitching a Gay Story to Srk or Salman Khan

Asked If He Would Ever Pitch a Queer-Themed Film to Someone Like Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan, Onir Recalled a Humorous Anecdote About Pitching One Such Film to a ‘Big Star’. He Said, “When I See Mammootty Play a Gay Man, I Feel So Proud, Because at Least the Kerala Film Industry Is Opening Up. I Remember a Few Year's Ago I Had Approached One of the Big Stars Because I Wanted to Do a Gay Version of Hamlet. When I Was Narrating the Story to Him, He Nearly Fell off the Sofa and Asked, ‘How Could You Imagine I Would Be Gay?'”

Onir Recalls Funny Anecdote When Asked About Offering Gay Movie to Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan

By James H. Sterling

• Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read

Onir Recalls Funny Anecdote When Asked About Offering Gay Movie to Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Renowned Director Onir, Recognised for His Distinctive Contributions to Hindi Cinema, Recently Spoke About the Reluctance of Bollywood Actors to Portray Gay Characters on Screen, Contrasting It with Their Readiness to Take on Roles as Rapists and Murderers.

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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