Sheer Qorma Producer Neeraj Churi Extends His Support For Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage In India

The Supreme Court of India has started hearing petitions for legalizing same-sex marriage in India. The LGBTQ+ community holds high hope that their basic fundamental right will be given to them with flying rainbow colours. Sitting on the court's bench this time are Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli, and Justice PS Narasimha.

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Indiatimes sat in a conversation with film producer Neeraj Churi who extensively and exclusively makes films that reflect the unheard stories of the queer community.

Neeraj under his banner Lotus Visual Productions has produced multiple award-winning films including Ek Jagah Apni, Muhafiz, Gair, Queer Parivaar, Temple and India¡¯s first-ever silent queer film Sisak. We asked Churi what will change for him as a filmmaker after the legalisation of same-sex marriage in India.

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The Indo-British producer shared, ¡°This much-needed move will make people more receptive to queer stories. Today when the film distributors are apprehensive about screening our films, I am sure after the legalization, the same theatre chains will create a space for us too. Marriage equality is a very strong step towards bringing a certain level of acceptance in our society.¡±

"On the fundamental level, Same-sex marriage should be looked at from the perspective of legal protection. So if two people of the same sex have to marry, what it brings to them is an array of legal rights. Be it having a nominee for financial transactions, getting a joint home loan or making medical decisions for each other. There are over 50 + legal rights which are enshrined in a marriage contract that heterosexual people get implicitly and they are not even aware.¡±

Neeraj feels that homophobia comes from ignorance. ¡°When they see two people from the LGBT community settling down, being honest citizens, and raising honest families, people will start knowing that there¡¯s nothing to be afraid of. That will help vanquish the homophobia and transphobia that exists in this society,¡± he quoted.

A still from Neeraj's film Badlaav

Apurva Ansari recently slammed Karan Johar for his misrepresentation of the queer community through his films.

Quipping about it, Neeraj said, ¡°I agree with Apurva but it's largely applicable to all filmmakers and not just Karan. Bollywood in general can do a lot more in doing some research when they bring up these sensitive topics. As an independent producer if I can make so much of a difference, making sure the writer-directors are aware of the sensitivity then why can¡¯t the bigger studios do that?¡±

Not just Karan Johar, it was a trend in Bollywood to ridicule and caricature gay people. But thankfully that has ended a while ago. As damaging for ???? as Dostana & Student Of The Year were, he also made Kapoor & Sons, which was more sensitive.

¡ª Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 21, 2023

Neeraj¡¯s recent and most popular production is Faraz Ansari's directorial Sheer Qorma.

The film has an ensemble cast of actresses Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhasker, Divya Dutta and Priya Malik. Talking about what is more important while creating such sensitive stories, Churi quotes ¡®sensitization¡¯. ¡°Be it moving in with your partner, be it about getting married or be it about raising a family, we need to show a gamete of the entire Lgbt experience through films so that people are sensitized. When we do that more, more audiences are sensitized.¡±

¡°The two facets to this process are that when the people who are from the LGBT community watch these films, they feel much more comfortable when they decide to come out. In the case of people who are allies and watch these films, they are sensitized enough that when their friends and family members or co-workers come out, they are there to support them.¡±

Asked about the reception of Indian audiences ever since the scrapping of section 377, Neeraj quipped, ¡°It has certainly increased. We have seen feature films come out on these topics and they have played in multiplexes and so on. So it is certainly a step in the right direction but more needs to be done.¡±

Neeraj with a cast of Tore Bina

The Catch the Light producer further added, ¡°They have all the time and money in the world. Even a small gesture from them that they research the characters and give the film an authentic balance, that can go a long way. Rather than just singling out a particular filmmaker, I would challenge every filmmaker to say that if you are making a story about LGBT experiences, please involve us.¡±

Tell us what filmmakers or producers must ensure while talking about these subjects.

Indiatimes/Tore Bina Cast

Neeraj shared, ¡°As a creator, one must understand how close they are to the material, who are they empowering to tell the story. People who are telling the story must be from the community or the people from the community are at least involved during the research and their feedback is taken when the final product is ready. That's how you ensure that by bringing that level of authenticity you can bring sensitivity.¡±

We asked Neeraj how he perceives leaders from the trans community like Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and Gauri Sawant being supportive of cis actors playing queer roles, the producer came to their defence.

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He said, ¡°Their concerns could be coming from a place that they don¡¯t have that calibre of trans actors to portray those roles. They don¡¯t know there¡¯s this option so whatever someone does, they are probably supporting whatever small delta that has come their way. So when you are hungry and you don't know there¡¯s nutritious food available then even the most unhealthy thing will make you happy.¡±

Also Read: Love Shall Triumph! Vivek Agnihotri, Hansal Mehta And More Celebs Back Same-Sex Marriage Right

Neeraj with Pradipta team

We asked Neeraj what made him do what he is doing today, the Physicality producer said, ¡°The reason why I started was that I found that the representation was lacking or there was quite a bit of gross misrepresentation, tokenization, pinkwashing. Rather than complaining about it, I chose to do something about it.¡±

Neeraj who has a partner of 25 years hopes that when he decides to retire with them in India later in life it is peaceful with marriage equality in place.

(For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.)