John Abraham is often seen shirtless in
Dostana, a Bollywood film that leads the industry as it tiptoes out of the closet.
photo via BlurberryIndia's film industry, collectively known as Bollywood, isn't waiting for the dust to settle on the legal and political debate over Article 377, which criminalizes homosexuality.
The wildly popular film industry, based in Mumbai, is already embracing gay themes.
Such characterateurs are being slowly being replaced by more realistic portrayals of gay characters.
It focuses on same-sex relationships in the fashion industry.
Related in Qnews: Activists applaud jokey fake-gay Bollywood movie; Audiences applaud beefcake 22-Nov-08
No gay kiss in runway feature, but Bollywood actor speaks out for queer folk 27-Oct-08
Another, Karan Johar's Dostana, has Abhishek Bachchan and usually shirtless John Abraham's characters pretending to be a gay couple. [see trailer for Dostana at end of this post]
New films with gay characters help Bollywood take baby steps out of cultural closet [contd.]
"Dostana is trying to push the boundaries of male bonding, which is never seen before in Hindi movies. The subject of gay bonding has been a taboo," Dostana producer Karan Johar, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Bollywood's latest bikini-babe Priyanka Chopra stars in both films, which has put her on a double promotional spree for Fashion, which opened early this month, as well as her upcoming film Dostana.
Like the other actors in the films, she's been asked to talk about homosexuality in many press interviews, "I am all for it", Priyanka said in one widely-quoted interview. "Why should homosexuals be looked down upon or singled out? It's an individual's take, as to how he or she would like to live their lives," she added.
Priyanka went on to talk about Fashion too at one go, "That's why I love the fashion industry. It's the only industry that doesn't discriminate, and encourages talent, whether you're straight or gay!"
Set in Miami, known for its sun kissed beaches, Dostana has what Hindustan Times calls "an urbane look" and the presence of gen-X actors -- John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra in the cast - compliments the theme.
"We are leaving no stone unturned to make Dostana a film for all ages, for the young and the old and all those who are looking for genuine and great entertainment," said Johar.
Although the film's plot sounds more like 70s US TV comedy "Three's Company", filmmaker Johar said Dostana is as brave a film as Brokeback Mountain. In an interview with India-Asia News Service (IANS), Johar insisted that he has moved beyond the "bubblegum cinema" tag.
Whatever the appeal of its plot might be, the movie, which was filmed mostly in Maimi, is sure to offer eye-candy appeal for gay men and for Bollywood's female fans since Abraham, a former model, usually wears little more than very brief swim trunks.
Johar said of the skin-show, "He's got the body, why not flaunt it? If you've a beautiful house don't you invite guests to see it? If you've made a film you're proud of, don't you want audiences to watch it? If John has a great body why not show it?"
Though Dostana an out-and-out comedy, the producers say the film "isn't just about gay jokes".
"It definitely puts out a subtle message on homosexuality."
"I'm asked if our actors can do Brokeback Mountain. Well, Abhishek and John have done Dostana. It's an equally brave film," Johar told IANS in an interview.
"The chemistry among Abhishek, John and Priyanka is fantastic," he said in a different interview quoted by Hindustan Times. "As for the gay jokes, I think it's time for everyone to wake up to reality. I had gay jokes in Kal Ho Naa Ho and no one was offended," Karan added.
He claims that it was courageous of Abhishek and John to sign up for the gay comedy by director Tarun Mansukhani.
"It's very brave of Abhishek and John to put themselves into this gay situation and not be embarrassed or be self-conscious. They've given 300 percent of themselves without flinching," Karan said.
But writer Sanjay Chauhan predicted to Times of India (TOI) that it will be a decade before gay content is accepted nationwide.
"Our society is very male chauvinistic, although urban youth has begun to feel it's okay to be gay," he said. "But films on a commercial level are still unviable. Most commercial filmmakers still use gay themes for comic relief -- in Dostana, the characters only pretend to be gay; they're not really so. I wrote a film for Anupam [Kher], called Happy & Gay. The title itself became an issue. The film has still not taken off."
Says Mahesh Bhatt, a prominent producer, screenwriter, and director, "Globalization has changed the audio-visual landscape. Some of our filmmakers who have kept in sync with the changing times have aptly projected the changing spirit of India on the screen.
This face of India is audacious, Times of India reports. They deal with themes like premarital sex, extramarital sex, infidelity, multiple partner relationships, and homosexuality. The consumer has compelled the film maker to change."
Even a censor board regional officer agreed that restrictions have been loosened, "Society has come to terms with the reality, and we are no different," Vinayak Azad told TOI.
He explains that Dostana got a UA rating and a few cuts "more because of language than gay content", and adds that a "more serious film on the same subject has also been cleared. Titled Straight -- Ek Tedhi Medhi Love Story, it's about a man who is not clear about his sexual orientation. Vinay Pathak, who plays the lead, keeps feeling he is gay."
Source: Bollywood opens the closet door | Times of India
Pragmatic Priyanka defends `Fashion', `Dostana' at one go | ZeeNews
'Dostana' has a subtle message: Karan Johar | The Hindu
Dostana - taking male bonding to a new high | Hindustan Times