How Gay is Bollywood?

Media News

Mumbai, November 24, 2011

Bollywood has grown to accepting and accommodating the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transsexual) community onscreen. No longer is it taboo to weave such a character into Bollywood script or portray on screen that a guy likes a guy. Their depiction in movies is no longer forbidden, however their portrayal is stereotypical, unjust and has a very narrow view of the LBGT community.

Ad Filmmaker, Prahlad Kakkar says “Bollywood is hypocritical. When a subject like homosexuality comes out in the open, there are no takers for it.”

A homosexual character is often introduced into the film for comical purposes. Such characters mimic one another with the same standard gestures and movements, and very rarely differ from film to film. It is as though such body language is the trade mark, by which the gay community can be identified. Very little is done to promote such individuals, as people who are unique from one another, with their own personalities and more importantly as someone who is ‘normal’. While their dramatic portrayal may have the audience in splits, it's far from a joke for the LGBT community that gets portrayed with comic undercurrents, more often than not. Movies like Dostana, Kal Ho Na Ho take pot-shots at the issue by romanticizing the relationship between straight men. On the other hand movies like I Am and My Brother Nikhil, which raised these issues for awareness on a serious note, face criticism from the moral police and they have only a short run at the box office.

While the world is heading towards a new direction where the LGBT community is concerned, with gay rights, movements and support from the masses, is it fair for Bollywood to portray bisexuality on screen as just another entertainment stunt? Are we lacking in our duties and responsibilities by not conveying serious issues about this community to the junta? Are we as an industry even aware of our responsibilities? Or is humoring just another way for the industry to lend support to the community and give it a voice and bring out the issue in the open?

Imran Khan, Actor says “I think people should be allowed to make their choices. That’s why I showed complete support when the gay magazine approached me to be on their cover.”

Nitin Karani from, Bombay Dost (Gay magazine) points out “Bollywood always portrays homosexuals as effeminate, panzy or sex-starved. Their job, as actors, is to make normal things entertaining, so they should break away from stereotypes and portray normal people as homosexuals too.”

To know more, tune into Bollywood Big Story, this Saturday, 12:30 pm as it debates its way into mainstream cinema and it’s portrayal of the LGBT community with the debate of the week: How Gay Is Bollywood? Only on zoOm, India’s no.1 Bollywood channel.

For further information, please contact:

LinOpinion PR

Dias Tahrcila

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Email: Tahrcila.Dias@loweandpartners.com