Why Bollywood Big Stars Shies Away From LGBTQ Narrative Films?

In the most recent interview, director Onir who is openly Gay discussed about obstacles for films about LGBTQ narratives to widen audience or find acceptance from Bollywood film industry.

The industry is “full of double standard”

Talking about the LGBT community in Bollywood, Director Onir stated that the industry is “full of double standards” where influential Bollywood personalities belong to the community but have not broadened their support. “Many influence belongs to the LGBTQ+ but it’s hard to find that forthright support comes in. Politically, everyone will say the right things but in action that’s missing”, Onir spoke on the 20^th edition of JIO MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Moreover, the ‘I am’ director also revealed the hidden reason why Bollywood celebrities has been avoiding feature in movies with LGTBQ narratives. “Many of them are not comfortable with that idea”, he said.

Bollywood has not seen the enormous potential in this genre

Regard to Supreme Court’s verdict which has given hope to LGBTQ community, the filmmaker affirmed that people who aren’t homophobic can still lend their support to the community. And movies about LGBTQ have a great potential to offer to Bollywood. Therefore, he think that the film industry should see the promising aspect instead of feeling discomfort or afraid of being perceived in a different way.

According to Onir, nowadays the number of film made in India about this particular topic is abysmal. “Bollywood is one of the largest film producing country in the world but the percentage of such films is minuscule”, the filmmaker claimed.

Lack of acknowledgedment about homosexuality

Another factor as Onir pointed out is that actor who starred in a homosexual film is not fully recognized or widely appreciated. “None of the mainstream film festival acknowledged my work or the actor”, the director confessed. Thus, actor feel hesitate to take up the role which not getting recognized or frequently is ignored by criticism.

Earlier, eventhough the Supreme Court’s verdict which decriminalize Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code had become the talk of the town. However, Onir hold the belief that thing would hardly change in the near future. Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ community is still full of hope to see the greater movement. “There’s a long way to go. It’ll take time, but it will happen”, the Shab director strongly believed.

Onir has been well-known by his work, especially film project about LGBT community such as ‘My brother… Nikhil’ (2005), I am (2010) and Shab (2017). He admitted his homosexuality while have been raising his voice for LGBTQ+ right.