As the Supreme Court of India continues to hear petitions and pleas wanting the legalization of same-sex marriages in India, several Bollywood celebs have voiced their opinions on the same.
Indian filmmaker Apurva Asrani is also an ardent advocator of LGBTQIA+ rights and is also among the few openly gay men in the industry. He has been continuously battling to get the community equal rights as the heterosexual people in India.
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Recently, the CEO of Apple Inc., Tim Cook, visited India for the grand launch of the two exclusive Apple stores in India. During this five-day trip, Cook met with the Indian Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who proudly showed him a picture of the Chenab Bridge on which the Vande Bharat trains will be running.
Shot on Made in India iPhone. pic.twitter.com/VWxKYnjZ2a
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) April 20, 2023
Talking about Tim’s visit, Asrani said that the Union Minister gave so much respect to the Apple CEO, Tim Cook, who is an out and proud gay man.
The Union Minister of the world's fastest growing economy (IMF)
stands tall explaining the successful Vande Bharat -India's fastest train- to Apple CEO, Tim Cook. Cook, an out & proud gay man, is awarded the respect worthy of a Fortune 500 CEO. His sexuality is incidental. (1/3) https://t.co/TOdSx1n5Gu— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 20, 2023
And like him, there are many other brilliant Indian business minds who happen to be gay, but they aren’t given the same respect as Tim.
Like Keshav Suri, Dir. Lalit Grp of Hotels & Radhika Piramal, V.Chairperson VIP Grp, there are other brilliant Indian business-minds who happen to be gay, but arent afforded the same dignity of life as Tim Cook. They remain trapped in closets/move abroad; a ‘queer drain’. 2/3
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 20, 2023
The filmmaker concluded this particular Twitter thread hoping that our govt will empower India’s LGBTQIA+ community.
I hope that our govt will empower India’s LGBTQIA++ community & not reduce its identity to a single aspect of its multifaceted persona. The diverse & resilient LGBTQIA++ is a force to reckon with, capable of powerfully contributing to nation building–if we work together. 🇮🇳🏳️🌈3/3
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 20, 2023
To this tweet of his, someone responded that even though they agree with him, the community doesn’t have to put it in the face.
“Heterosexual people don’t put it in the face.”
I agree with this but no need to put it in the face
Heterosexual people don’t put it in the face
— useful analysis (@usefulanalysis) April 20, 2023
Giving him a reply, Asrani said that everything around is only about heterosexual people.
“Imagine growing up gay with zero representation.”
What are you saying buddy? Your love stories, your weddings, the birth of your child, your marriage anniversaries, the love stories in movies, songs, the ads on tv, you're everywhere! Its all about hetero love, hetero families. Imagine growing up gay with zero representation! https://t.co/twKKXg2lcz
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 21, 2023
To this, another man named Mohit said that filmmaker Karan Johar’s movies are also to be blamed for ‘perpetuating certain stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community’.
I will also blame Karan Johar’s movies for perpetuating certain stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community, particularly through the use of certain characters and comedic elements.
— Mohit 🇮🇳 (@mohitpsspeaks) April 21, 2023
While Asrani agreed with Mohit’s statement, he did add that the time changed with the release of movies like ‘Kapoor & Sons’ that spoke about dysfunctional families and homosexuality.
Not just Karan Johar, it was a trend in Bollywood to ridicule and caricature gay people. But thankfully that has ended a while ago. As damaging for 🏳️🌈 as Dostana & Student Of The Year were, he also made Kapoor & Sons, which was more sensitive.
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) April 21, 2023
Mohit also then responded to Asrani and said that a couple of movies cannot compensate for the negative impact Karan Johar’s work may have had on perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
I understand your point, and it is true that one or two less popular movies cannot absolve Karan Johar from any negative impact his work may have had on perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The AIB roast controversy, in which he was involved, was also criticized for its content.
— Mohit 🇮🇳 (@mohitpsspeaks) April 21, 2023
Mohit does have a valid point that some movies that show the LGBTQIA+ community in bad light or casually mock them make it difficult for the advocators to bring a positive change in the mindset of society towards them.
However, we can’t ignore the fact that KJo and Bollywood are getting more conscious and sensitive toward the community’s representation. What do you have to say about this?