Movies
Onir reveals first look of LGBTQ short film Tumhari Khushboo
MUMBAI: National Award-winning filmmaker Onir has unveiled the first look of his upcoming Hindi short film Tumhari Khushboo, offering a gentle yet stirring glimpse into a story told as much through silence as through emotion.
Starring Barun Sobti and Shashi Bhushan, the film marks a rare and meaningful moment in Indian cinema. Bhushan, a visually impaired actor, portrays a queer character, bringing both authenticity and nuance to the narrative. Written by Ravi Asrani and produced by Impulse Mumbai, the film blends intimacy with purpose, rooted in the collective’s long-standing work around sexual wellness, mental health, substance use, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Set against the familiar hum of Mumbai, Tumhari Khushboo follows Sunil, a visually impaired masseur, and Kamran, a sports teacher who becomes his client. The newly revealed poster hints at a quiet closeness between the two, while suggesting unresolved memories that may complicate their growing bond.
Speaking about the project, Onir shared that the film holds a deeply personal place in his journey. He described it as his first attempt at bringing together queerness and disability on screen, adding that the story speaks about safer sexual wellness, empathy, and the universality of love, desire and vulnerability.
He also praised the cast, noting that Shashi Bhushan’s talent as both an actor and musician naturally shaped the film during workshops, while Barun Sobti brings emotional depth to Kamran, a man navigating affection alongside his own internal biases.
Echoing the sentiment, Impulse India programme manager Bismaya Kumar Raulo, said the film reflects the organisation’s core values of inclusion and affirmation. He described it as a quiet reminder that queer lives exist across many intersections, and that honest storytelling can foster a more compassionate society.
Impulse Mumbai team member Mihir Maher added that the film celebrates every form of love with sincerity, championing acceptance, responsibility and empathy without preaching.
Without giving too much away, the first look sets the tone for a reflective film that explores love, boundaries and self-discovery with understated grace. More details about Tumhari Khushboo are expected to be announced soon.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
