Homosexuality

Hey Forumwasis!
So, a few years back I saw the movie Fire starring Shabana Azmi. It was on the theme of social taboos and homosexuality. I guess this movie is one of the earliest ones in the bollywood to actually have shown such a concept which is still a sensitive issue in the country. The movie as expected recieved a lot of bashing for its content.
The movie came in 1996 and it's is 2017 and the scene in India hasn't changed. We have only three bollywood movies based on the said theme i.e. my Beother Nikhil, Aligarh (2016) and Margarita with a straw which also realised last year.
Moreover, the portrayal of the LGBTQ community in the movies is quite demeaning.

Do you feel that this issue has been ignored by bollywood just to fees the radical thinking of some sections of society. Why can't the mainstream bollywood make movies on such sensitive topics rather than just making chick flicks and same old action movies one after the other. (The LGBTQ consist of 3% of the total population in India which is a big number.)

I'd like to ask people from LGBTQ community of their opinion on BW..

Such a thoughtful topic and not many replies.

It is the general public who are mostly responsible , they will never accept a open LGBT actor .. The stigma attached with it is major reason. But people like Kjo who could have been inspiration to many decided to mock it in his films and make money out of it

I am sure the actual statistics will be much more, it's stigma & fear that holds them back. India first needs to treat women properly. They're light years behind that. Forget another homosexuality. I've homosexual friends, either some have been isolated or been married off. It's heartbreaking what they've to endure, and really makes me extremely angry on how illiterate people are. Educated illiterates. No compassion, no sensitivity.

The scenario is so bad that KJO who has more than hinted he is not straight mocked gay men with Dostana.

So many LGBTQ people in India but you rarely get to know they are who they are 'cause they are forced to hide it. What kind of 'values' prevent someone from expressing their love for a person?

Get rid of that Victorian era Section 377 first. It ain't even an Indian law, SMH.

All the kulcha warriors should first read what scriptures say about LGBTQ issues and their depiction and then oppose it on the basis of 'culture'.

BW, IMO, doesn't represent society to a large extent. Movies are made to cater only a certain type of image. We have just now started expecting good roles for females on-screen and that too is considered "niche", "experimental".

Originally posted by: Angel-likeDevil

I'd like to ask people from LGBTQ community of their opinion on BW..

Firstly, I think if LGBTQ peeps actively take part in the production of such movies, especially in the script-writing, only then we will see an accurate depiction of the lives of the community.. It requires mature film-making.

I had few homosexual friends back in my graduation days and I am still friends with them. In the initial days they did not disclose about themselves but gradually they did. But, the people I know were more involved in their own lives to actually think about the bigger picture. Got married in wealthy families and are living a life of lie but they do not really care.

But, when the high court repealed section 377 the LGBTQ community amenities forward in full force and rejoiced. People came out of the closets and told their families but all their hopes were tarnished by the supreme court. It was such a regressive decision to uphold a law when the Central government had no problem with the judgement of the High Court.

The web series by Amit Khanna called all about section 377 is probably the best one I have come across. It shows the story from a perspective of a homophobic straight guy. That series depicts the pain of the LGBTQ and questions the taboo around it. Because actors were hesitant to act a homosexual guy Amit Khanna himself did the part and he nailed it.

(The LGBTQ consist of 3% of the total population in India which is a big number.)

Originally posted by: Pirated_Fun

It is the general public who are mostly responsible , they will never accept a open LGBT actor .. The stigma attached with it is major reason. But people like Kjo who could have been inspiration to many decided to mock it in his films and make money out of it

Yes, kjos portrayal of LGBTQ community was demeaning. I don't get why people have to portray them as abnormal or sex crazedel etc. There is a short film called abnormal where the girl when realises that she is a lesbian cries in front of her mother to take her to a hospital as she is suffering from a disease and wants to be cured. And, this is actually because how the community is represented.
The 'hijra' community has somewhat got its right with the Supreme Court's judgement giving them the right to have gender identity. Although it is still in the nascent stage and we have a long way to go before they are totally accepted, but there is not even a slight hope for the LGBTQ community.