Has Bollywood challenged stereotypes and promoted authentic quir stories? , Hindi film news
When Bollywood sings about love, it usually meets a boy girl, a dramatic monsoon, and a dance number in Switzerland. But what happens when the boy meets the boy? Or the girl loves the girl? For the longest time, such characters and stories were either separated or converted into a punchline.June is a month of vibrant ceremonies and hearty reflections, which marks the pride month, the LGBTQA+ is the time to respect the community’s struggle, flexibility and victory. Indian cinema, especially Bollywood, has been a powerful storyteller for a long time, which shapes the social outlook.So the question is whether Bollywood has actually developed in the way LGBTQIA +’s life is represented? let’s take a closer look.Turn back: Shadow of stereotypes in initial BollywoodLong ago, Bollywood adopted the rainbow-Himi love stories, playing a harmful game, depicting queues as a comic relief, as a villain, or was completely sidelined. In slapstick comedy such as ‘Hamshakals’ or ‘Mastizad’, quir characters were written purely for laughter. But even a sequence was shown in cute films like ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, where a house reacts with hatred after wrong thinking that two people are romanticly involved. Message? There is something to laugh in the queue or to be canceled by it.ETIMES arrived at the quarred community for voices to weigh the matter, Instagram makes Shantinu Dhope,
In older films, a lot of conservative illustrations where the queues were either at the top, were used as comic relief, or painted as the hunter was deeply different from the hunter. These illustrations were not only wrong, they were harmful. He felt the queue that something to laugh or fear. This really made it difficult to see many of us with dignity or pride.
Shantinu Dhop, Material Maker
Films like ‘Dostana’ (2008) can be the first major banner attempt to show two men in a relationship, even though they are throwing it, but the way they increased their behavior and fed them in every tired gay stereotype.The ‘Student of the Year’ (2012) included a principal who was conservatively gay, secretly in love with the sports coach, and continuously irritated by his wife. ‘Raja Hindustani’ (1996) introduced Quir characters Kammo and Gulab Singh, both were not represented with full honesty. And then Bobby is a case of Darling, which is one of Bollywood’s first transgender figures, which was repeatedly cast in hyper-commercial roles in films like ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ and ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum’. Her representation was so exaggerated that it became a punchline that contributes to harmful ideas about Trans women in Indian pop culture.
Shift begins: Sensitive stories take center steps
Thankfully, everything was not lost. The voices of independent filmmakers and some brave mainstream began to change the story.Director Onir’s ‘My Brother … Nikhil’ (2005) was a quiet revolution. Based on a true story, it follows a state-level swimmer Nikhil with HIV in Goa of the 1990s. Except for his partner Nigel and sister Anamika, Nikhil’s visit was destabilized by family and society – at that time highlighted the legal and emotional conflicts faced by the queues.Then came ‘Aligarh’ (2015), where Manoj Bajpayee played the role of Professor Siras, suspended from his job after being caught by a consent with another person. The film did not shout to portray its loneliness and dignity, showing the audience to the human being behind the label.‘Kapoor and Sons’ (2016) offered one of the most subtle queues of Bollywood, in which Favad Khan played Rahul, who was a gay person in a relaxed family. He was identified without pomp, and was not used as a joke.And in ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dikha Toh Aisa Laga’ (2019) (2019), Sweety, played by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, finds out that she is in love with a woman, not with a man. The story revolves around the journey from his traditional Punjabi family’s visit to approval – a landscape that can identify with many Indian queuing youth.
Bollywood gets bold: Quir love goes to the mainstream
The true examination of Pragati came with the commercial success of ‘Shubh Mangal Bahi Savan’ (2020). For the first time, two men-asanman Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar-played lovers in the Rome-Com of the mainstream Rome.Ayushman, known for choosing offbeat roles, explained his decision in an ETIMES interview, “It was important for the film because we have to normalize it. I recently saw two boys kissing in a mall and then I realized, we are ready for it.” We usually do not see PDA between similar-sex couples, but it occurs abroad. This will also happen in India. It is about basic human rights. People think that this is unnatural, unusual because they are wired in this way. Therefore, acceptance is important. ,The boldness of the film did not stop in casting. Ayushmann and Jitendra shared a kiss on screen, some rare in today’s cinema. To this, Ayushman said, “We are currently discussing the same-sex kiss, and I think the next step will be that no one will ask this question again when it is in a film. Like anyone now asks a question about a heterosexual kissing scene. ,
He also touched the responsibility of mainstream actors, “This is another kind of risk and I think it’s day and age when you can take a lot of risk. You have to give something different for the audience. And for me, it’s not just about entertainment, it’s nothing that is not with entertainment. I think we are ready for a gay love story. Because this is 2020, we have become more progressive as a society. There is a lot of acceptance. “And in fact, the audience responded with warmth, laughter and understanding.
Rajkumar Rao : love is love
Talking to the Bombay Times, Rajkumar shared, “I am happy that more and more films are being made on the LGBTQIA+ community, because we need more voice and more awareness.”
Reflection of proud month in 2022, the actor said,
I think there should be a proud day every day and everyone should have the freedom to live their life the way they want to live. We should all be to support each other and to be proud of each other’s choice. love is love. Just be who you are.
Rajkummar Rao, actor
Intervals that still remain
While gay and gay stories finally find their place, other identities are largely invisible. Stories of trans people, non-binary individuals, bisexuals, and asexual characters are presented some more distant and often incorrectly.The ‘Chandigarh Car Auria’ (2021) featured a Trans Woman lead, but he put a Sisgender actor in the role, which led to backlash sparking. Authentic representation means giving queue actors an opportunity to tell their stories.Shantiinu explains, “Trans and non-binary stories are still weakened, and when shown, it rarely occurs from a place of authenticity. We need stories that are told by people within the community with nuances, honesty and living experiences. This is the time for the industry to make a place not only in front of the camera, but also behind the sounds of the queue. ,He continues, “Development is happening, but we have to be cautious about calling it about the revival of old patterns. Representation should never come at the cost of dignity.”
Reel to real: The power off power
Cinema is not just about entertainment; This is the reflection of the society. And sometimes, it can lead. Shantanu explains how films helped him feel it, “The short film was standing out for me in ‘Bombay Talkies’ directed by Karan Johar. It was one of the first time when I saw a queue character in a setting, which was real and leveled, exaggerated or made in a joke. This story was not very difficult; It did not solve everything, but it saw me in a small but meaningful way. Sometimes, it is enough to shift something internally. ,
He said, “‘Sheer Curma’ (although not the mainstream Bollywood release) was beautifully authentic. It took over the queuing love and generational struggle with such a calm power. Performance, silence, intimacy – it all seemed so real. It was not so real;So, Bollywood is really represented Quarious storiesYes, but still have to go a long wayFrom being a punchline to becoming a hero, the leaflets in Bollywood have come a long way. There is more authenticity, more acceptance and more awareness. But the journey is not over.Bollywood has the power to shape heart and homes. This is the time to tell all queues of queues – honesty, complexity and, above, with respect. As Rajkummar Rao said, “Love is love. Just who are you.”Because the actual change does not end with representation. It starts with it.
