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Dostana
Pakistan issues nationwide ban on gay-themed movie
"[The film] doesnââ¬â¢t actually feature a real same-sex relationship, but the men do share a kiss at one point, which is a breakthrough for Indian cinema"
A Bollywood comedy film has been banned by the High Court in Pakistan for ‘propagating homosexuality’. As a result, the gay-themed comedy will not be shown anywhere in the country.
As part of the decision the judge ordered that the Pakistan Film Censor Board should deny any screenings and that a copy of the script is prepared for review.
Dostana, which sees two men pretend to be in a relationship to rent a flat, doesn’t actually feature a real same-sex relationship, but the men do share a kiss at one point, which is a breakthrough for Indian cinema.
The film is set in Miami, which was seen as a necessity owing to India’s strict laws forbidding any homosexual acts. Under Section 377, which was established in 1860 while under British Raj, anybody who "voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal" was punishable by imprisonment.
Filmmakers hope that the production of Dostana and the publicity it has garnered will pave the way for a more open representation of homosexuality in Indian cinema. Producer Karan Johar said:
"Dostana is a fun way to pave the way eventually for a Bollywood Brokeback Mountain-type film”
Dostana’s slapstick elements and storyline have seen it likened to last year’s I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, which in itself was a loose remake of 1969's The Gay Deceivers. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Jessica Biel I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry was largely derided by the media for re-enforcing negative gay stereotypes.
