In a Hollywood movie, it might be a meet-cute when Faheem (Mir Tawseef) flirtatiously hands Karun (Akash Menon) an apple as they make their first acquaintance. But Karun is an Indian border guard at a checkpoint that Kashmiri college student Faheem passes through on his way to his home in tiny, nearby Gurez. The young men’s attraction is immediate — and impossible. It is not only a matter of both being closeted but religion, ancient enmity, and current unrest argues against any kind of sexual or romantic liaison. Still, desire and maybe something deeper flames between them, erotic chemistry made undeniable in Tawseef and Menon’s electric performances.
Inspired by the story of a real-life Indian soldier, the film very nearly didn’t get made when the Indian Army refused cooperation and co-writer/director Onir(My Brother… Nikhil, Frameline29) lost his financiers, studio, and cast. But he persevered, and the pay off is to the audience with this sensual and poignant romantic drama.
Director Onir and actor Akash Menon expected to be in attendance