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.
Hollywood
Iger’s final act: Disney boss wraps up epic saga with a new captain at the helm
After 15 turbulent years, two stints in the c-suite, and billions spent on blockbuster acquisitions, Bob Iger is stepping away from the Magic Kingdom.
CALIFORNIA: The 75-year-old chief, hailed as one of the most transformative leaders in modern media, officially hands over to former parks chief Josh D’Amaro on 18 March. And this time, he’s getting the succession right.
Iger’s legacy glitters with big bets and epic wins: the $7.4bn Pixar buy, $4bn Marvel swoop, and the colossal $71bn 21st Century Fox deal. He dragged Disney into the streaming age, fought off activist investor Nelson Peltz, and saw off a political scrap with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
But it hasn’t all been pixie dust. The forced return of Iger in 2022—after the short, shaky reign of successor Bob Chapek—tarnished an otherwise stellar run.
Now, D’Amaro takes the wheel with a streamlined leadership team and Disney firing on all cylinders. The firm’s streaming business is in the black, theme-park attendance is soaring, and five global films have hit $1billion at the box office in the past two years. Not bad for a firm that was on the ropes just months ago.
D’Amaro’s first move? A slick reorg under new president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, folding film, tv, streaming and gaming into one punchy unit. Sean Shoptaw, heading up the gaming division, now reports directly to Walden—bringing Fortnite and Epic Games collaborations closer to Disney’s creative heart.
Iger isn’t sailing off into the sunset just yet. He’ll keep busy with Angel City FC, the women’s football club he owns with his wife. And as Ann Mooney Murphy of Stevens Institute predicts: “A guy like that never truly retires.”
One era ends. Another begins. And the House of Mouse bets big on a future beyond the king.
