20 Years of My Brother… Nikhil: Purab Kohli reflects on playing a gay man; “No reservations, only gratitude”

Purab, how do you look back at My Brother… Nikhil? Twenty years of My Brother… Nikhil—it's been a long time since the film was made, and yet it continues to hold a very strong place in my heart. I still remember reading the script; it was one of the most beautiful scripts I’ve ever come across. Beyond its important message, especially at a time when very few people in India were talking about such subjects, the film stood out for its storytelling and sensitivity.

So you had no trepidation about playing a gay man? Not at all. The subject was crucial, and I had no reservations whatsoever. The way Onir chose to tell the story, using a docudrama style, was quite innovative for that time. It felt like a new-age film, very ahead of its time. And then to have a banner like Yash Raj Films step in to release it—it all came together to mark My Brother… Nikhil as a landmark film.

It was very special? Absolutely. It holds incredibly special memories for me. At that point, I had done a couple of films, but this one really felt like something different. The experience of filming it felt like a family coming together. It was truly an independent film, made possible through the goodwill and vision of Sanjay Suri and Onir.

Onir told me it felt like a real family while shooting? Yes, Onir and Sanjay brought everyone together like a family. We shot in Goa, which in 2005 was still quite non-touristy. We went during the monsoon—late August through September—and that setting added a beautiful atmosphere to the film. I remember those days so vividly; it really was a collaborative and heartfelt process.

Have you watched My Brother… Nikhil recently? Yes, I revisit it often, especially when I want to remind myself of the kind of meaningful work I’ve done. It’s a film that continues to leave me with a very warm, fulfilling feeling. I have the DVD, and I also stream it online from time to time. Even now, living in the Western world, when people ask me to recommend one of my films, the first one that comes to mind is My Brother… Nikhil. It’s a film I’ll always cherish—20 years on, 25 years on, even 30 years from now.

Also Read: 20 years of My Brother… Nikhil: Sanjay Suri recalls, “It was an unknown territory for many, people doubted if it would ever be released or get any audience”