Right now, the entire nation is keeping an eye on Supreme Court’s decision over Section 377 which is related to the LGBTQ+ community. Amid all, director Onir has expressed his disappointment on Twitter about why Bollywood always remains silent over the issue of homosexuality.
Onir tweeted, “Why does most of bollywood keep silent when it comes to #ipc377 and #lgbt rights … unless a film release is around the corner … saddens me . There should be more voices for human rights.”
Filmmaker Onir, who is openly gay and a vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, has also expressed his disappointment in an interview with Hindustan Times. “The [wait for] the Supreme Court’s verdict has been trending for so many days, yet Bollywood’s influential trendsetters, idols, and opinion-makers are not talking about it,” says Onir.
The review gives hope to the community that homosexual sex may be decriminalised. In 2013, the SC had overturned Delhi High Court verdict of 2009 that held Section 377 as ‘unconstitutional’. Since then, rights activists have been filing petitions for a review. And now, the review is under way.
About making films on a homosexual relationship, Onir lashed out at Bollywood by saying, “Why should it be only the LGBTQ+ community speaking up about this? I just don’t understand what keeps people from talking about it. People like me and Apoorva Asrani (writer) have always been known to be open.”
He adds that people try to time their solidarity with such issues only when they have a film release around the corner. Onir said, “I’ve seen people interact with the LGBTQ+ community during certain film releases, when they hold special screenings for the community.
“It was just two days back that I suddenly realised this. For example, I’m a believer in women’s rights, but I won’t wait for my film to come to talk about it; it’s a part of my everyday life. If I see something happening around the world, I will speak about it. This issue is such a big thing, it’s not possible that it doesn’t touch anyone,” he added.
Well, Bollywood has made films on homosexual relationship like Dostana (2008), Aligarh (2016) and others. Let’s see what verdict SC gives on Section 377.
