My new Mintcolumn looks at the gay rights movement and how ’soft’ initiatives like Dostanaare as important as changing the law:
It’s been a few days since I saw Dostana, Bollywood’s so-called gay coming out film. My first reaction was: Wow. Here’s a film that is made within the parameters and, therefore, limitations of mainstream cinema. The two lead actors aren’t gay; they only pretend to be gay. But despite these limitations, the film brings homosexuality out of the fringe and into the drawing room.
Look, director Tarun Mansukhani seems to be saying, hot-blooded guys can be gay; there’s nothing chee about the notion and, in a pivotal scene, the lead actress tells the “gay” guy’s resistant mother to accept her son as he is, so that he can live his life and be happy (and gay).
I’m still a bit gobsmacked, two hours after returning home post my Dostana outing.
In many ways the film is vintage KJ (Karan Johar): an ensemble cast, sumptuous sets, beautiful people (even the extras look gorgeous), great location. And if KJ (whose own sexuality has been the topic of endless speculation) pushed the envelope on extra-marital relationships in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, he pushes another envelope with Dostana: exploring gay relationships.
OK, so the two leading men — Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham are only pretending to be gay. Why lie? They want to share a fabulous apartment with an Indian girl (played by Priyanka Chopra) whose conservative aunt wants her to share it only with girls. So, Abhishek and John pretend to be gay and even concoct a hilarious story of how they met and fell in love in Venice.
Two things stand out in what could have been an otherwise stereotypical romcom. Of course, both Abhishek (Samir) and John (Kunal) fall madly in love with Priyanka (Neha). But then, just as you begin wondering who will finally get the girl, a third man (Bobby Deol) enters the scene just before interval, quite literally queering the pitch. The ending? Not as predictable as you might imagine.
Second, director Tarun Mansukhani tries to break as many cielings as he can within the ambit of a mainstream flick. When, for instance, was the last time you saw a movie where a leading actor played the part of a nurse? Never? So, three cheers for dignity of labour.
Also, I concede, this film is no Brokeback Mountain. But what it will end up doing by the time it’s completed its run, is make homosexuality a little bit less of a taboo. Abhishek and John might not be gay after all, but Priyanka makes an impassioned plea to Abhishek’s mom (Kiron Kher) to accept her son for what he is so that he can live his life and be happy. How’s that for promoting gay rights?
There’s none of the ‘chee‘ aspect you’d imagine a mainstream film would smear onto homosexuals. There’s no passing of judgment, and what stays with you finally is a friendship that is warm and real.
And, yes, it’s sexy in many ways. Buff, toned and tanned John Abraham rising out of the sea in his yellow trunks could give Daniel Craig a run for his money. And there are plenty of jokes on the lines of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Bum (the version I’ve heard substitutes a word for cat instead of Khushi, to describe bisexual behaviour). Bobby Deol tells Priyanka he’s good in bed. And I can tell you that the audience I watched this movie with loved with sexual references. It was as if years of repression had just lifted away.
Yes, the film drags (oops, no pun intended) post interval. But all in all, I liked Dostana so much that I’m going to see it one more time with my kids and mom.
And thanks for pointing out the obvious: Of course, Gabbar Singh (of Sholay) is gay.
Homosexuality is still illegal in India but is its film industry ready to tackle on this final taboo? Anil Sinanan finds out for The Times (London)
Is Bollywood coming out of the closet? It looks so with the release of Dostana (Friendship), a gay rom-com with four A-list stars including Shilpa Shetty and produced by Karan Johar, Bollywood’s biggest director. Of course, in Dostana two of Bollywood’s biggest heroes — John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan — only pretend to be gay to get closer to the object of their affection, Priyanka Chopra. Even so, this is daring for Bollywood as it is the first major film to address the love that dare not speak its name in such a mainstream manner.
Homosexuality remains illegal in India, and is still considered a taboo topic by many. The relevant law is Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (1860), which prohibits “unnatural offences”, defined as “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal”. But Johar says he thinks the timing is right for Dostana. Section 377 is now under review in the Indian courts and, at least in the major cities, negative attitudes are changing. In an action begun in 2001 the law is being challenged in the Delhi High Court.
