Tumhari Khushboo, an upcoming LGBTQ+ short film from renowned South Asian filmmaker Onir is set to explore empathy and empowerment.
Starring visually impaired actor Shashi Bhushan as a queer character opposite Barun Sobti – of Star Plus serial Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon and Asur fame – the film quietly yet powerfully breaks ground with its casting choices.
Written by Ravi Asrani, the film will explore both queerness and disabilities – an intersectional representation that Onir described as being “uncommon” in film.
Set in Mumbai, Tumhari Khushboo follows the bond between Sunil a visually impaired masseur and Kamran (Sobti), a sports instructor who becomes Sunil’s client as it leads us through a story of intimacy, emotional presence and love led by senses beyond sight.
Rooted in dignity and independence, Sunil’s character showcases how vulnerability doesn’t mean weakness. With a portrayal that’s set to be laden with empathy rather than pity, the short film’s poster and first look captures the leads’ bonds with equal parts tenderness and intrigue.
Immersed in lived experiences, the 33-minute film was shot over a period of three months in Mumbai with real locations – including a massage parlour where the masseurs are visually impaired and Bhushan’s home – adding authenticity to the narrative.
A director known for setting benchmarks in bringing the Indian queer experience to life on the screen through films like My Brother…Nikhil and I Am, Onir continues to push the boundaries of his storytelling.
In addition to Onir expertise for unfolding queer stories with empathy, Sobti’s involvement also has many fans – who have grown up watching him on screen – excited to dive into the story.
Pushing past comfort zones and delve into the sharp edges of real stories, Tumhari Khushboo is set to be a film brimming with strength, love, desire, and vulnerability.
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