Onir – GayBombay Icon Award

Onir
GayBombay Icon Award – For promoting LGBT+ representation in arts, culture, or entertainment.

Onir (He/Him) is being honoured with the Gay Bombay Award 2025 for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian and queer cinema, as well as for his powerful activism and storytelling that has transformed perceptions and opened doors for LGBTQIA+ communities in India.

Who is Onir?

Born Anirban Dhar in Bhutan, Onir’s early life was coloured by a love for films and literature. After studying comparative literature at Jadavpur University, he received a scholarship to train in film editing in Berlin before returning to India, where he began his journey as an editor, scriptwriter, and director.

Pioneering Queer Narratives

Onir’s debut feature My Brother… Nikhil (2005) was a landmark in Indian cinema—one of the nation’s first films to sensitively depict same-sex love and the lived realities of people with HIV at a time when both were heavily stigmatised. The film earned wide acclaim, winning Audience Choice awards at major international festivals and bringing attention to the stories often left unspoken in Bollywood.

Onir continued to challenge cinematic boundaries with subsequent work. I AM (2011), an anthology addressing single motherhood, displacement, child abuse, and same-sex relationships, won two National Awards (Best Film and Best Lyrics) and remains one of the largest crowdfunded independent films in India. His honest storytelling and deft touch with nuanced subjects positioned him as a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ voices.

Global Recognition and Recent Work

In 2025, Onir’s latest feature We Are Faheem & Karun became the first queer narrative feature from Kashmir and the only Indian film selected for the British Film Institute’s Flare LGBTQIA+ festival—an unprecedented honour for Indian queer cinema. The film’s international impact underscores Onir’s role as a global representative of India’s evolving queer landscape.

Onir’s memoir, I Am Onir & I Am Gay (Penguin, 2022), offered a candid insight into his personal journey and identity, later inspiring the critically acclaimed film Pine Cone, which won the Rainbow Warrior Award at the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival. Through books and films, he’s shown that sharing one’s truth can be an act of courage—and of healing.

LGBTQIA+ Activism and Advocacy

Beyond filmmaking, Onir is a visible activist for LGBTQIA+ rights. He’s been outspoken about representation, the need for empowerment of queer storytellers, and legislative issues like Section 377. Whether withdrawing support from parties silent on LGBTQIA+ rights or facing pushback at literary festivals, Onir has steadfastly advocated visibility and inclusion.

Awards and Honours

National Award for Best Film (I AM, 2011)
Rainbow Warrior Award (Pine Cone, KASHISH Mumbai, 2023)
Diversity Award from Film Victoria Australia & La Trobe University
Numerous international accolades from film festivals across Milan, Montreal, Florence, and Melbourne
Engendered Spirit of Independent Cinema Award (2020)

Why This Matters

Onir stands as an artist, activist, and role model, consistently demonstrating that cinema can challenge prejudice, spark empathy, and celebrate the vibrant spectrum of queer lives. His films are not just stories—they are acts of resistance and love.

Follow Onir’s Journey