KASHISH Open Forum at Mumbai Film Festival 2011

Gone are the days when a gay man was always a limp-wristed comic character who was ridiculed, shunned or beaten up. Even mainstream actors are not afraid to play out gay, lesbian, transgender character or situation. But do these characters have depth and detailing, or are they merely for a sensational spin? Where does censor become an impediment in depicting something meaningful and serious? And do they have an audience at all?

These are some of the questions that was taken up for discussion at MAMI's Open Forum on October 17th at 2pm - 'Queering India: Gay & Lesbian portrayals in New Indian Cinema', presented by IIFW in association with KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival.

Speakers included young frontline filmmakers Tarun Mansukhani and Onir who have made films with gay themes `Dostana' and `My Brother Nikhil' respectively; award winning actor Rajit Kapur who plays a gay poet in yet-to-be-released film 'Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish'; and Sridhar Rangayan, gay activist and filmmaker of off-beat gay films 'Gulabi Aaina' and 'Yours Emotionally'. The discussion will be moderated by Rajeev Masand, fire-brand film critic of TV show 'Masand Ki Pasand' fame.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Film Festival Mumbai India
• panel discussion
• mumbai film festival
• gay
• lesbian
• . transgender
• indian gay films
• tarun mansukhani
• onir International Live

[saurabhusbondre]

i have been able to watch only first 3 minutes....why does Nisha talk in a Non-Indian accent ? is she a born NRI ?