Bollywood gay film touted as India’s Brokeback Mountain

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Although several gay scenes have featured already in Bollywood productions, an upcoming film is being touted as India’s answer to Brokeback Mountain.

Promotional posters for Dunno Y . . . Na Jaane Kyun were released this week showing two topless men embracing.

Few details about the film have been disclosed but it is expected to be a high-profile release. The director is Anil Sharma, who is well-known in India’s film industry.

He told The Times of India: “The only thing I was particular about was 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.”

The film will be in English with subtitles, something which may help it past censors.

Actor Kapil Sharma will play a would-be gay model who begins a sexual relationship with another man. It is not yet clear whether this will be a romantic relationship, as reports say the central character is forced to “compromise” his morals to further his career.

Bollywood has rarely mentioned homosexuality in the past and even heterosexual kisses are still unusual.

But since the Indian capital Delhi legalised homosexuality last year, homosexuality is very slowly becoming more accepted in culture.

A recent film, Dostana, showed two men pretending to be gay in order to win over a female love interest, but Dunno Y . . . Na Jaane Kyun is the first big release to tackle the issue of homosexuality seriously.

One upcoming small film, I Am, depicts male prostitutes being harassed by homophobic police officers. It is currently being shown at the Rotterdam Film Festival.

Dunno Y . . . Na Jaane Kyun is expected to be released in May.

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