Sheer Qorma

Sheer Qorma is an Indian short film depicting LGBTQ love. Starring veterans like Shabana Azmi and outstanding actors like Divya Dutta and Swara Bhaskar, the film is directed by Faraz Arif Ansari. The movie has bagged several international awards, including the Grand Jury Award at the Florida Film Festival and Best Short Film Audience Award at the Frameline Fest recently. The timings beautifully resonated with Pride Month 2021!

What is more awe-inspiring is the production and consequent success of such a film in India. Though the movie is yet to be released in India, the recognition it has achieved and the openness with which people are discussing it makes me happy. It is this change, and the acceptance of each and everyone, that is gradually building in our society is what makes it special. 

India is one such country that has constantly seen a change in its definition of “being conservative.” Despite the fact that we are still quite prudent with our beliefs compared to various other ethnicities, we’ve always endeavored to change and evolve with the times. 

A country that was at a time held down by unethical practices involving burning alive of a widowed woman (sati) or child marriage; is now explicitly changing its perception against various restrictive notions.  No doubt we are still backward in many aspects; no doubt we need to accelerate our rate of change – the positive part is the efforts are ongoing. Being on the move is of extreme importance, as we’ll simply stagnate if our efforts come to a standstill. 

A large section of the society, be it NGOs, educational institutes, filmmakers, sportspersons, media, or individuals at various levels, endeavor hard to make the required change happen. Sheer Qorma is one of the best and recent examples of the same. It’s also an exemplar for such influential people like actors, politicians, athletes, cricketers, etc., who have a great impact on the common masses, to talk about or illustrate such sensitive topics in whatever ways they can. You have the power to open up people in a way no one else can, not even friends and family members! 

One of my friends recently expressed that she is happy she has settled abroad, as else the ‘coming out’ process would have been nearly impossible for her in India! Though happy for her, I felt a little embarrassed about my country. However, being embarrassed is no solution. We all need to do our part in #makingthechangehappen, in #creatinganecosystemofacceptance. 

If you are reading this and have chosen a life of disguise over your true identity, I’d request you to come out, please. If you are reading and understanding this, and have not been able to accept your closed ones because they are different, then I’d appeal to you to open your arms and truly accept them. God has made all of us unique and each one of us carries a spark of divinity!

Let’s love our loved ones for who they are, and support them in their journeys of change!

Avani Raj Arora