Dostana: Produced by Dharma productions, Karan Johar., Directed by Tarun Mansukhani

It opens with a fast paced song lasting for 3-4 minutes during which three things are clearly established. That such a story is located in Miami, US and revolve around two very eligible and hot guys. Moreover they see to be constantly hounded by girls of varying hotness. Distincly noticeable is John’s(…Kunal…) tush and Abhi’s( Sameer ) rag of a scarf .

The thing is that these two guys are not gay. The movie is hilarious, but also very reflective of a subversive Homophobia that exists in the Indian Society as well as in most parts of the world.

It makes fun of Homosexuality, it is meant to be taken as a light- hearted banter. But yet another addition to the same-sex relationship ridicule and reinstating of stereotypes.

From the very beginning it is made very clear that these two guys are not gay-they each wake up with women in their beds. They vehemently deny being a couple. They are eyeing their hot woman flat mate.

A single lie such as in the film has very serious and sensitive consequences. As was reflected, the lie just kept building, it was first the Fat Aunt, then Neha’s Boss, then the immigration officer for receiving a quicker residence permit. Moreover, Sam’s and Kunal’s attraction towards Neha was inevitable and proved three heartaches.

The question is whether its possible to apologize for wrongs that were done consciously? To what extent do the means justify the end? All Bollywood, commercial films aim very obviously at making money. People, the masses would in all likelihood leave the theatres happy that all strings and loose ends were tied up.

Its films such as these, that show a very definitive lack of sensitivity on the part of the director, help in convincing people of the negative stereotypes and encourage a kind of intolerance for loves of different kind. For any thinking audience to such a film, it leaves a bitter taste. Its ironical and tends to leave the audience confused. On one hand ‘being gay’ seems to have led them to gain friendships they would cherish, but at all points ‘being gay’ is seen as a reason to get larger things, like a splendid apartment and a quicker residency permit. Its almost as if those who are gay are so not by choice but out of some necessity. Its as ridiculous as wanting to belong to a reserved category just so one can get the benefits of quota.

What is heartening is that such films are made for mass consumption, basically if the masses have been thinking that ‘being gay’ was unacceptable in a society, this film shows the way to deal with such a sensitive issue-you either laugh at them and ridicule them, or you sympathize and find ways to justify their ‘deviant’ choice.

In India, Homosexuality is a Taboo. Its unacceptable in this conservative society and the oldest scriptures have not been very helpful either. Under section 377 of the IPC its still a criminal act to have “Carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” Films like Dostana suddenly seem to reverse many years of efforts against such a rigid ideology.

So what does a film like the above depict? Is it a satire of the hypocritically conservative Society in India? Should it just be passed up in the name of “freedom of expression”?

Newspapers are reporting such a film as “taking male bonding to a new high”, unfortunately, such an insensitive depiction is no new high, Indian people had always considered same sex relationships ‘abnormal’ Karan, using a very powerful medium screams out that they were right, they were never wrong.

We are moving ahead but in many ways are unable to keep up with advances and an open mind. Congratulations to Karan Johar. Its gonna be hard to break the ‘stereotype’!