Bollywood’s queer side

Celebs react to Imran Khan’s recent statement at Harvard University’s India conference and offer their own take on Bollywood’s representation of the LGBTQ community

Sushant Divgikar, model and actor

I think the problem with the representation of LGBTQ characters in Bollywood is that it plays out in extremes. It is either fantastic or complete trash. There is no middle ground, somehow. Almost like how Indian men are either phenomenally good looking or not good looking at all, haha. For example, Fire. That movie was so ahead of its time and so fantastic in its representation of homosexual women. I remember watching it with my parents at home because my parents loved good cinema. They still do. But cinema that good and that sensitive is a rarity. In recent times, I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum — films that make caricatures out of LGBTQ characters as well as films that treat them sensitively, like Bombay Talkies, for example. And even the upcoming Aligarh. I personally believe that if a filmmaker is incapable of being as sensitive as a Hansal Mehta or a Deepa Mehta when dealing with this subject, he/she should steer clear of it.

Mimoh, actor

India has been known the world over as a country of diversity and culture, and now the young generation is ready to take that even further when it comes to diversity of more kinds. So, I believe we as a country should respect all people, even in our cinema. That happens sometimes, like in Hansal Mehta’s upcoming Aligarh. But more needs to be done for sure, and more movies like it need to be made. I believe that we are all one under the eyes of the Almighty and our actions should reflect that.

Tara Alisha Berry, model and actress

I agree with Imran, but then things are changing slowly but surely. Also, the issue is much larger than just Bollywood — the entire nation is still prejudiced. Baby steps are being taken in the right direction though, like YRF’s Six Pack Band. I feel that if we increasingly show support and acceptance of the LGBTQ community in general, and instil non-judgement in the kids of today, then that will eventually seep into society and therefore into the pop culture born out of it, including Bollywood films.

Celina Jaitly, actress and entrepreneur I agree with Imran 100%. I believe that the portrayal of LGBTQI in Indian cinema often underlines an inherent homophobia to a great extent. Throughout most of our films, the person representing the gay character is always at the receiving end of homophobic jokes that can be quite offensive and are always represented as being okay with being ridiculed. They’re also mostly branded as people capable of only double meaning talk as well as being of an oversexed nature willing to pounce on the first person who comes along. Not to forget that they are given a certain stereotypical way of dressing in practically every film. Moreover, the lesbian community is almost entirely ignored. With the exception of a handful of good films. Our cinema has certainly played a big role in embedding certain stereotypes and misleading opinions about what the LGBTQI community really is.