India now has a gay actor who has received a national film award, which may be a few decades late but is accepted with open arms nevertheless. By becoming the first openly gay actor to win the award, Benjamin Daimary has made history.
On March 22, he received a jury special mention at the 67th National Film Awards. This award came as no surprise, given how well he was received for his portrayal of Jahnu, a transgender woman, in Prakash Deka’s Assamese film Jonaki Poruwa (Fireflies).
When I saw my name on the list, I got goosebumps. I have never thought nor would I have ever of receiving such an honour.
Benjamin Daimary to Assamese media
This 20-year-old make-up artist from Goreswar, a small town in Assam’s Baksa district, is also the first Assamese member of the LGBTQ community to win a major award.
image credit: Instagram
