Onir is a distinguished figure in the Indian film industry, known for his intense films and bold subject choices. As a filmmaker, editor, screenwriter, and producer, He continues to inspire and challenge the status quo, making him a true icon of modern Indian filmmaking
Early Life
Onir was born as “Anirban Dhar” on May 1, 1969, in Samchi, Bhutan, into a Bengali family. His father Aparesh Dhar and mother Manjushree Dhar were both teachers. He has a brother Abhishek Dhar, who is a theoretical physicist, and a sister Irene Dhar Malik who is a film and television editor.
He attended the Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, Thimphu and later Motithang Higher Secondary School, Thimphu, Bhutan. The family later moved to Kolkata where Onir pursued comparative literature and took film classes at Chitrabani Film School. He graduated from Jadavpur University in 1989. Onir got a scholershiop a scholarship to study film editing in Berlin. He did an Advance Editing Diploma at SFB/TTC, Berlin in 1991.
Early Career
After returning from Berlin, he made a documentary, “Fallen Hero” about a well-known painter, Bijan Choudhury. Onir began his career as an assistant director in the 1990s. He worked on projects like Mahesh Bhatt Saatwan Aasman (1992). He moved to Mumbai in the late 1990s, editing television content and assisting on films. In the beginning of his career, he also worked as an art director, and music album director.
In 2001, he assisted Kalpana Lajmi on ‘Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence‘. He also edited the film. He also edited Rahul (2001) and Fun2shh… Dudes in the 10th Century (2003).
Breakthrough
His directorial debut, ‘My Brother… Nikhil‘, released in 2005, was a groundbreaking film. It dealt with AIDS and same-sex relationships, a rarity in mainstream Hindi cinema at the time. It follows Nikhil Kapoor, a champion swimmer played by Sanjay Suri, who faces societal rejection after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The story draws from the life of Dominic d’Souza, India’s first known AIDS patient. Juhi Chawla portrays his supportive sister, Anamika, while Victor Banerjee and Lillete Dubey play his parents.
The film addresses the stigma around AIDS and homosexuality during a time of low awareness in India. It screened at over 40 international festivals, winning the Audience Choice Award in Milan and Montreal. Onir edited and produced the film, using mainstream Hindi cinema elements like songs to tell an unconventional tale. The narrative avoids pinpointing the source of Nikhil’s infection, focusing instead on societal response.
His next film is Bas Ek Pal (2006), a dramatic exploration of urban relationships that stars Urmila Matondkar, Sanjay Suri, and Jimmy Shergill. The film delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and forgiveness and was recognised for its mature treatment of these themes.
Sorry Bhai! (2008) is another film directed by Onir that stands out for its narrative. The film, which features Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Sanjay Suri, and Chitrangada Singh, is a romantic comedy that unfolds against the backdrop of a family wedding. Despite its release coinciding with the tragic Mumbai attacks, which affected its performance at the box office, the film was appreciated for its light-hearted approach and performances.
Onir – One Of A Kind
His eighth film, I Am, is a collection of four short films, “Omar”, “Afia”, “Abhimanyu”, and “Megha.” It delve into themes of single motherhood, displacement, child abuse, and same-sex relationships. The film stars Nandita Das, Purab Kohli, Juhi Chawla, Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Suri, Radhika Apte, Rahul Bose, and Arjun Mathur. This anthology won him the National Award, solidifying his reputation as a filmmaker of substance.
He also produced Chauranga (2016), a powerful film directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra. The movie, set in rural India, deals with the issues of caste and class discrimination in rural India. It centers on a young boy from a lower caste who faces oppression and seeks change. He supported the project through his production house, Anticlock Films, alongside Sanjay Suri. It won the Incredible India Award for the best script at the Goa Film Bazaar and was well-received at various film festivals, including MAMI and IFFLA.
Another significant work by Onir is the feature-length documentary Raising the Bar (2016). An Indo-Australian project that showcases the lives of six individuals living with Down syndrome. The documentary premiered at the Melbourne Indian Film Festival and was praised for its sensitive portrayal of its subjects.
Onir continued to explore complex themes with his directed and produced films like Aaba (2017), directed by Amar Kaushik, and Chalne Do (2019) directed by Nikunj Rathod. He then directed critically acclaimed Shab (2017), starring Raveena Tandon, Ashish Bisht, and “Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz (2018)” with Geetanjali Thapa and Zain Khan Durrani. Both films went on to screen at various film festivals. In 2023, he directed the semi-autobiographical film Pine Cone (2023). He also directed the documentary “Widows of Vrindavan” in 2019. Despite facing challenges, including the financial underperformance of some of his films, Onir’s commitment to telling stories that matter remained unwavering.
Later Work
My Melbourne is an anthology film where Onir directed one segment. It includes four stories by Indian filmmakers—Onir, Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, and Rima Das—set in Melbourne. His segment explores identity and human connection, aligning with his thematic focus. The film premiered at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and the I View World Film Festival in Delhi.
His last release was We Are Faheem & Karun which premiered at the BFI Flare Film Festival. This queer love story unfolds in Gurez, Kashmir, marking it as the first Kashmiri-language LGBTQI+ film. It follows Karun, a South Indian security guard played by Akash Menon, and Faheem, a local Kashmiri student portrayed by Mir Tawseef.
Their romance faces challenges due to societal taboos and professional constraints. Shot on location, the film uses local actors like Mir Salman and Sana Javeid. Onir drew inspiration from a true story, overcoming Ministry of Defence objections by altering Karun’s role from army personnel to a security guard. The film won the Rainbow Stories Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Personal Life
Onir is one of the few openly gay filmmakers in the Hindi film industry. He has been vocal about his identity and the struggles for acceptance within a heteronormative society. His memoir, ‘I Am Onir and I Am Gay‘, co-written with his sister, Irene Dhar Malik, offers an intimate look at his life and experiences.
Onir work has not only garnered awards but has also sparked conversations about representation and inclusivity in Indian cinema. His films are celebrated for their authenticity and the courage to represent marginalized voices.
Onir’s contributions to the film industry are invaluable. His unique voice and vision have paved the way for more inclusive storytelling in Indian cinema. As a filmmaker, editor, screenwriter, and producer, Onir continues to inspire and challenge the status quo, making him a true icon of modern Indian filmmaking.
Onir on IMDB
