Riyad Vinci Wadia

Riyad Vinci Wadia Biography

Riyad Vinci Wadia was an Indian independent filmmaker, known for the movie - Bomgay (1996), one of the first Indian films based on a homosexual theme. He was the grandson of J. B. H. Wadia – the producer known for making female centric action films featuring Fearless Nadia, a trendsetter. Both his grandfather and granduncle Homi Wadia were involved with the production of such films, which became commercially very successful, though categorized as B-grade movies. In fact, Fearless Nadia was introduced to films by his father and later married by his granduncle Homi Wadia, and Riyad too made a documentary film on his grandaunt - Fearless: The Hunterwali Story. Riyad, a talented filmmaker known for innovative ideas died at a young age of 36 in Mumbai. He was a HIV positive patient.

Riyad was born in Mumbai to Nargis and Vinci Wadia, on 19 September 1967. Vinci Wadia was the son of JBH Wadia who co-founded Wadia Movietone productions and Basant Pictures – known for starting stunt films in Indian cinema. Thus Riyad inherited the film production company from his forefathers. Riyad and his brother Roy Wadia were gays and they worked with WHO. Riyad studied a film making course from Australia. He is known for giving significant contributions to the gay cause, either through film medium or other methods.

His first documentary, Fearless: The Hunterwali Story (1993), which is based on the life of Nadia Wadia reecved rave reviews from critics and was screened in more than 50 film festivals. His short film, BomGay, regarded as one of the very first gay themed movies from India, explored the underground gay subculture of Mumbai. The film was screened at various international film festivals and regarded as a referral book of the movies of this kind.

He was tested positive for HIV in 1995, but refused to intake any kind of medicine. He moved to New York where he continued as a columnist for a few newspapers. He was forced to return to India following 9/11 due to non-availability of jobs. He passed away on 30 November 2003, following the attack of TB. Riyad Wadia award was instituted in 2011 in his honour.

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Updated: March 20, 2016