Rituparno`s death huge loss for LGBT community: Onir

Mumbai: Gay filmmaker Onir says that eminent filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh`s demise will be a big loss for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

Ghosh died Thursday following a cardiac arrest, said industry sources. He was 49. The acclaimed Bengali filmmaker, who has movies like ‘Chokher Bali’, ‘Antarmahal’ and ‘Dosar’ to his credit, was also known for his cross-dressing style and fascination for make-up. “Very, very sad that the man whose every frame spoke of cinematic beauty and gave a new identity to New Wave Bengali Cinema is no more,” tweeted 44-year-old Onir whose debut film ‘My Brother...Nikhil’ dealt with AIDS and gay-related issues. “His passing away will be a big loss not only to lovers of cinema and art, but a huge loss to the LGBT community,” he tweeted. In fact, in director Sanjoy Nag`s ‘Memories In March’, Ghosh stepped in front of the camera to play a gay who loses his partner. Onir also remembers Ghosh as a friend with huge knowledge not only of cinema but literature. “Last met him at the day of the National Awards. he was radiant and happy like a child. When one stepped into his house...every corner spoke of an artist. Admired his knowledge of literature and cinema” he tweeted. Onir says that Ghosh also wanted him to do a film with Madhuri Dixit and Nana Patekar. “The last time we met we spoke of doing a project together. He wanted me to direct a story idea by him with him, Madhuri and Nana Patekar,” he tweeted. IANS