Indian culture is quite "homosocial" in that displays of affection and body contact between men is socially acceptable and is commonly depicted in Bollywood movies. Research in India also shows that there seems to be a hidden subculture that allows a man to engage in homosexual activity without compromising his masculinity or his sexual orientation. The mantra must be; what is hidden is also invisible. His sexual orientation is up for questioning only when he adopts an alternate gender identity or seeks emotional and sexual fulfillment in a relationship with another man.
But with the expansion of education and English-speaking middle-classes along with access to Western literature there is an increasing tendency in India to associate certain behaviors with being gay or bisexual (like in the western world). The once common "homosocial" behaviors have now garnered a sexual element, especially in the urban areas. Also, like in most of the world, sexual contact between men is more likely to be considered unequivocally homosexual.
With more defined sexual identity, gender roles and characteristics, Bollywood actors seem in a hurry to shed their previously "homosocial" behaviors. In their hurry to clear their names some of them have also exposed a film industry that is rife with a culture of secret and sometimes perverse form of homosexuality. It seems that not only are homosexual favors frequently traded but they are also used as stepping stones for the newbies. Many aspiring actors and models have had to engage in same sex activities with directors, model coordinators, fashion designers, producers and other Bollywood bigwigs in exchange for prominent roles. While many in the industry continue to deny its existence, models Aashish Chaudhary and Rahul Dev, fashion designers Ravi Bajaj and Manish Malhotra and film columnist Bharati Pradhan have told news media of the ubiquity of the gay casting couch while denying ever gracing it.
The Industry has had a still harder time still quelling the rumors with recent revelations of actual incidents. Noted playback singer Sonu Nigam, little know model Surjit Jagdish Singh and actor Sahil Khan have publicly acknowledged sexual harassment at the hands of a journalist, a fellow actor, and a model coordinator respectively.
But this culture has not limited itself to the fringes of Bollywood. Many "A" list personalities have been rumored to be in same sex relationships and/or accept favors in return for promising film careers. Marc Robinson a model turned actor has suggested that many of the industry bigwigs like Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali might be involved in gay relationships referring to their "proximity to male friends". (His comment appeared in an article for Hindustan Times which has since been removed from the newspaper's online archives)
Shah Rukh Khan is one actor that has kept the rumor mills churning for a long time. He has been dodged by gay rumors ever since he debuted on the small screen. The one that figures most prominently in gossip columns are that of a relationship he shares with director and TV personality, Karan Johar. With no hard evidence columnists have still found it easy to read into everything from movie titles, off-the-cuff remarks and body language to substantiate the rumor. With all these recent revelations it’s hard to say what is true or not.
When you apply Western standards to define what being gay is, Bollywood men often fit the bill. Not by choice but often because of the way they are directed, the clothes they are made to wear and the dancing they are expected to do. The most masculine of actors are required to wear flashy clothes and jewels, shed a tear, and break into song and dance around trees! Is there more to be said?
Bollywood might be born out of a conventional and conservative country but it’s inside story is filled with anecdotes of polygamy, sexual exploitation, sleaze and everything else we love to write and read about!
But with the expansion of education and English-speaking middle-classes along with access to Western literature there is an increasing tendency in India to associate certain behaviors with being gay or bisexual (like in the western world). The once common "homosocial" behaviors have now garnered a sexual element, especially in the urban areas. Also, like in most of the world, sexual contact between men is more likely to be considered unequivocally homosexual.
With more defined sexual identity, gender roles and characteristics, Bollywood actors seem in a hurry to shed their previously "homosocial" behaviors. In their hurry to clear their names some of them have also exposed a film industry that is rife with a culture of secret and sometimes perverse form of homosexuality. It seems that not only are homosexual favors frequently traded but they are also used as stepping stones for the newbies. Many aspiring actors and models have had to engage in same sex activities with directors, model coordinators, fashion designers, producers and other Bollywood bigwigs in exchange for prominent roles. While many in the industry continue to deny its existence, models Aashish Chaudhary and Rahul Dev, fashion designers Ravi Bajaj and Manish Malhotra and film columnist Bharati Pradhan have told news media of the ubiquity of the gay casting couch while denying ever gracing it.
The Industry has had a still harder time still quelling the rumors with recent revelations of actual incidents. Noted playback singer Sonu Nigam, little know model Surjit Jagdish Singh and actor Sahil Khan have publicly acknowledged sexual harassment at the hands of a journalist, a fellow actor, and a model coordinator respectively.
But this culture has not limited itself to the fringes of Bollywood. Many "A" list personalities have been rumored to be in same sex relationships and/or accept favors in return for promising film careers. Marc Robinson a model turned actor has suggested that many of the industry bigwigs like Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali might be involved in gay relationships referring to their "proximity to male friends". (His comment appeared in an article for Hindustan Times which has since been removed from the newspaper's online archives)
Shah Rukh Khan is one actor that has kept the rumor mills churning for a long time. He has been dodged by gay rumors ever since he debuted on the small screen. The one that figures most prominently in gossip columns are that of a relationship he shares with director and TV personality, Karan Johar. With no hard evidence columnists have still found it easy to read into everything from movie titles, off-the-cuff remarks and body language to substantiate the rumor. With all these recent revelations it’s hard to say what is true or not.
When you apply Western standards to define what being gay is, Bollywood men often fit the bill. Not by choice but often because of the way they are directed, the clothes they are made to wear and the dancing they are expected to do. The most masculine of actors are required to wear flashy clothes and jewels, shed a tear, and break into song and dance around trees! Is there more to be said?
Bollywood might be born out of a conventional and conservative country but it’s inside story is filled with anecdotes of polygamy, sexual exploitation, sleaze and everything else we love to write and read about!
3 comments:
What!! I am a bit surprised as how extensive this thing is. Interesting though and totally likely.
I'm not Indian, but I watched the film Dostana, and I have to say that even though John Abraham does play a gay role in this, I've seen him outside of the role, and it seems to me quite obvious that he is gay in real life, but I'm not sure how in the closet actors are in India especially since it's more conservative.
John abrahim once said to a nach baliye contestant that we know each other very well from our modelling days and that he know the girl inside him.........the guy wrks in Bhaskar bharti and has wrked in the movie yeh kya ho raha hein!
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