THE GAY BRIGADE
THE GAY BRIGADE – WHO’S LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK?
“…we were so gay, you know…”, said our eleventh standard biology teacher and at once muffled laughter and giggling erupted from various corners of the classroom. The teacher, obviously oblivious to contemporary lingo, stood bewildered. He is not the only one to be caught ignorant, most of us, from a more traditional background, are not aware of the connotations of the word ‘gay’. But ask any urban english high-school or college student and you are sure to get an affirmative reply. This is the Great Divide that exists in the Indian society today where topics like homosexuality are still taboo to many.
But thanks to satellite television, novels, Internet and easily accessible porn material, the Indian youth is coming of age much faster and earlier than previous generations. With statistics showing that about half of India’s population is below 35 years, products and services are being targeted and marketed at this prone and vulnerable segment of our society. The film industry too has naturally followed suit, and you have a spate of college romances and skin fests movies targeted at adolescents.
Since the pathbreaking Dil Chahta Hai, recent Bollywood films have unconventional treatments of themes such as love, adultery which had usually been handled in strictly traditional ways.
One such controversial movie that has been in the news lately is ‘Girlfriend’. It is a triangular love story of the dark kind where the villain and central character is a lesbian played by the famous Item number girl Isha Koppikar. Amrita Arora plays her heterosexual love interest for whom Isha will even kill. A la the movie Darr gone sour plus steamy scenes, the film is a sure quick money spinner, though the director Karan Razdan claims that he wanted to start a debate on homosexuality and has made a film on a 'socially relevant issue’.
Counsellor Neeti Joshi, at the lesbian helpline Aanchal differs. “Some research should be done before making films like these” she says. “Sexual preferences have nothing to do with the individual’s circumstances." She pointed out that films like Girlfriend actually do a disservice to the cause.
The only other lesbian Bollywood film, that had caused such a controversy was Fire, a film by Deepa Mehta. It also drew flak from Hindu hardliners in 1998 because it featured a relationship between two women. Screenings were later halted.
Similarly, Girlfriend has also evoked strong reactions from the Shiv Sena, who tore posters and stopped the screening of the film in some theatres.
Sena activist and leader, Yashwant Killedar, said that the party decided to protest after it received complaints from several parents concerned about the "adverse effect" the movie would have on their children. "In fact, when we visited Premiere (theatre in Mumbai), 80 per cent of the crowd was college students," he said. “A film on lesbians is contrary to Indian culture. It has been accepted in other societies, but it will not be accepted here," he declared.
Online readers of the various news sites like Times of India and Rediff, had posted divided opinions in the ‘Comments’ section on news relating to the movie:
One reader had commented “Bollywood must deal with themes like homosexuality and lesbianism with sensitivity and compassion. Movies like Girlfriend will only increase prejudice and hatred among people -- and we certainly do not want that. In this connection, we could take a tip from the score of Hollywood movies that treated the subject of AIDS and its victims in family and court-room dramas with such sensitivity and compassion, that the prejudice against AIDs victims was definitely contained and even substantially reduced.”
Another had this to say, “I just don’t understand why people are making such an issue of the theme on which the movie is based. I completely agree with the fact that the way the homosexual character in the movie is projected is not right, but as far as the theme of the movie goes, I find it perfectly fine. Homosexuality is something which prevails in society naturally and has to be accepted by one and all. If the Shiv Sainiks feel that what is done in the bathroom and bedroom is not to be projected in movies they should have been there when movies like Hawas and Murder were screened too. Why is an issue being made simply over lesbianism? I think its their male ego and chauvinist attitude which is coming in the way more than anything else. Besides who is asking them to watch the movie anyway? But I think if anymore movies are to be made on this subject they should be made after proper research instead of portraying homosexuals as freaks and eunuchs (as in some other movies where a gay character is the villain's sidekick).”
Some readers had strong objections like this one who commented “Girlfriend should be banned.
I don't understand what the censor board is doing at the first place. How can they allow a movie with such a cheap and vulgar theme to be picturised. Movies are meant to educate and entertain the masses, which include youngsters too. This is what the maker of the movie wants to imbibe in the minds of the future generation. Shame on you... If this is modernisation, I think it is better we be where we were few decades ago.”
The movie’s main protagonists, Isha Kopikkar and Amrita Arora seem to represent the bold and daring face of Bollywood today. For all the controversy that the film has created, these two come across as individuals who know what they are doing
. Says Isha about her role, “You know, playing a lesbian wasn't easy. I had to do a lot of homework. I had no reservations about accepting the role. I'd be a fool to turn down an author-backed heroine-oriented role. But I had reservations about how I'd play the part. It isn't every day that heroines get a part like this."
Amrita Arora too was very vocal and supportive about the theme of Girlfriend.
“With the satellite television boom, people are more exposed to what is happening in the world. People are becoming progressive. Lesbians and homosexuals do exist in our society. The film revolves around characters that are true-to-life and not those who live a fairytale existence. The audience has come of age and the time is just right for a film like Girlfriend.
If you go to London, for example, you will see people of the same sex in pubs holding hands and sharing their love. No one points fingers at them. It is accepted. No one goes, "Oh my God, look at that! Homosexuals and lesbians are not from another planet or era. They are human beings like you and me, and should be treated with dignity and grace.”
With all the various reactions and opinions and views aired about the movie, one thing that comes out clearly is the freedom of expression possible and accommodation of views in Indian society. And even though there are radical and violent opponents to views, ultimately all that ends well, ends well. Karan Razdan too can get away with it like Kaizad Gustad (Boom) and Shashi Nair (Ek Choti Si Love Story) did, though for all the flutter they caused in the media, they are not seen as mainstream.
As a Scottish Bollywood watcher put it ““There are only 3 types of Bollywood movies, ‘lost-at -childhood brothers meeting up with their mother’, ‘triangular love stories’ and the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ kind of love stories. There was one recently about lesbianism, obviously that didn’t do too well!”
“…we were so gay, you know…”, said our eleventh standard biology teacher and at once muffled laughter and giggling erupted from various corners of the classroom. The teacher, obviously oblivious to contemporary lingo, stood bewildered. He is not the only one to be caught ignorant, most of us, from a more traditional background, are not aware of the connotations of the word ‘gay’. But ask any urban english high-school or college student and you are sure to get an affirmative reply. This is the Great Divide that exists in the Indian society today where topics like homosexuality are still taboo to many.
But thanks to satellite television, novels, Internet and easily accessible porn material, the Indian youth is coming of age much faster and earlier than previous generations. With statistics showing that about half of India’s population is below 35 years, products and services are being targeted and marketed at this prone and vulnerable segment of our society. The film industry too has naturally followed suit, and you have a spate of college romances and skin fests movies targeted at adolescents.
Since the pathbreaking Dil Chahta Hai, recent Bollywood films have unconventional treatments of themes such as love, adultery which had usually been handled in strictly traditional ways.
One such controversial movie that has been in the news lately is ‘Girlfriend’. It is a triangular love story of the dark kind where the villain and central character is a lesbian played by the famous Item number girl Isha Koppikar. Amrita Arora plays her heterosexual love interest for whom Isha will even kill. A la the movie Darr gone sour plus steamy scenes, the film is a sure quick money spinner, though the director Karan Razdan claims that he wanted to start a debate on homosexuality and has made a film on a 'socially relevant issue’.
Counsellor Neeti Joshi, at the lesbian helpline Aanchal differs. “Some research should be done before making films like these” she says. “Sexual preferences have nothing to do with the individual’s circumstances." She pointed out that films like Girlfriend actually do a disservice to the cause.
The only other lesbian Bollywood film, that had caused such a controversy was Fire, a film by Deepa Mehta. It also drew flak from Hindu hardliners in 1998 because it featured a relationship between two women. Screenings were later halted.
Similarly, Girlfriend has also evoked strong reactions from the Shiv Sena, who tore posters and stopped the screening of the film in some theatres.
Sena activist and leader, Yashwant Killedar, said that the party decided to protest after it received complaints from several parents concerned about the "adverse effect" the movie would have on their children. "In fact, when we visited Premiere (theatre in Mumbai), 80 per cent of the crowd was college students," he said. “A film on lesbians is contrary to Indian culture. It has been accepted in other societies, but it will not be accepted here," he declared.
Online readers of the various news sites like Times of India and Rediff, had posted divided opinions in the ‘Comments’ section on news relating to the movie:
One reader had commented “Bollywood must deal with themes like homosexuality and lesbianism with sensitivity and compassion. Movies like Girlfriend will only increase prejudice and hatred among people -- and we certainly do not want that. In this connection, we could take a tip from the score of Hollywood movies that treated the subject of AIDS and its victims in family and court-room dramas with such sensitivity and compassion, that the prejudice against AIDs victims was definitely contained and even substantially reduced.”
Another had this to say, “I just don’t understand why people are making such an issue of the theme on which the movie is based. I completely agree with the fact that the way the homosexual character in the movie is projected is not right, but as far as the theme of the movie goes, I find it perfectly fine. Homosexuality is something which prevails in society naturally and has to be accepted by one and all. If the Shiv Sainiks feel that what is done in the bathroom and bedroom is not to be projected in movies they should have been there when movies like Hawas and Murder were screened too. Why is an issue being made simply over lesbianism? I think its their male ego and chauvinist attitude which is coming in the way more than anything else. Besides who is asking them to watch the movie anyway? But I think if anymore movies are to be made on this subject they should be made after proper research instead of portraying homosexuals as freaks and eunuchs (as in some other movies where a gay character is the villain's sidekick).”
Some readers had strong objections like this one who commented “Girlfriend should be banned.
I don't understand what the censor board is doing at the first place. How can they allow a movie with such a cheap and vulgar theme to be picturised. Movies are meant to educate and entertain the masses, which include youngsters too. This is what the maker of the movie wants to imbibe in the minds of the future generation. Shame on you... If this is modernisation, I think it is better we be where we were few decades ago.”
The movie’s main protagonists, Isha Kopikkar and Amrita Arora seem to represent the bold and daring face of Bollywood today. For all the controversy that the film has created, these two come across as individuals who know what they are doing
. Says Isha about her role, “You know, playing a lesbian wasn't easy. I had to do a lot of homework. I had no reservations about accepting the role. I'd be a fool to turn down an author-backed heroine-oriented role. But I had reservations about how I'd play the part. It isn't every day that heroines get a part like this."
Amrita Arora too was very vocal and supportive about the theme of Girlfriend.
“With the satellite television boom, people are more exposed to what is happening in the world. People are becoming progressive. Lesbians and homosexuals do exist in our society. The film revolves around characters that are true-to-life and not those who live a fairytale existence. The audience has come of age and the time is just right for a film like Girlfriend.
If you go to London, for example, you will see people of the same sex in pubs holding hands and sharing their love. No one points fingers at them. It is accepted. No one goes, "Oh my God, look at that! Homosexuals and lesbians are not from another planet or era. They are human beings like you and me, and should be treated with dignity and grace.”
With all the various reactions and opinions and views aired about the movie, one thing that comes out clearly is the freedom of expression possible and accommodation of views in Indian society. And even though there are radical and violent opponents to views, ultimately all that ends well, ends well. Karan Razdan too can get away with it like Kaizad Gustad (Boom) and Shashi Nair (Ek Choti Si Love Story) did, though for all the flutter they caused in the media, they are not seen as mainstream.
As a Scottish Bollywood watcher put it ““There are only 3 types of Bollywood movies, ‘lost-at -childhood brothers meeting up with their mother’, ‘triangular love stories’ and the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ kind of love stories. There was one recently about lesbianism, obviously that didn’t do too well!”
posted by Cosmician @ 8:29 AM
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