India's Brokeback Mountain

by Michael Jones · 2010-01-28 12:11:00 UTC
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Dunno YOne year after the Delhi High court issued a ruling decriminalizing homosexuality, India is about to get an LGBT film that will not only make history for Bollywood, but may help tackle lingering stigmatization over the issue of homosexuality.

The film, Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun, is being touted as India's version of Brokeback Mountain. Nothing like giving the film some great expectations to live up to! But the film just may -- in addition to featuring gay characters that break from the Bollywood stereotype of effeminate queer people, the film will also see Bollywood's first same-sex kiss. Could it be the kiss that disarms a thousand hearts and minds when it comes to the issue of homosexuality?

If you read what the film's director is saying, it just might.

"I was particular ... that this character should not come across as a caricature or just as an object of mockery. I am truly happy with what I have chosen," said director Anil Sharma. He added that Indian filmgoers were mature enough to handle movies that cover same-gender love and same-sex relationships.

The film caps off a whirlwind year for India in terms of LGBT rights. In July, the Delhi High Court ruled to decriminalize homosexuality, which had been illegal in India for 148 years. In their ruling, the judges said that "the inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognizing a role in society for everyone."

That includes a role for queer people (movie term pun intended).

Photo credit: Dunno Y

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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