Cinema of courage

Lesbian love: When Kiran met Karen has been in the news for its bold theme.

  • <b>Lesbian love</b> <i>When Kiran met Karen</I> has been in the news for its bold theme. An Indian American film by Manan Singh Katohora is having a tough time in finding a distributor for India. Here's a look at some of the other films that explored the theme of queer love and dared to brave the media and cultural police in India.
    Lesbian love When Kiran met Karen has been in the news for its bold theme. An Indian American film by Manan Singh Katohora is having a tough time in finding a distributor for India. Here's a look at some of the other films that explored the theme of queer love and dared to brave the media and cultural police in India.
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  • <b>Rare chemistry</b>: Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das' electric performances made Deepa Mehta's <i>Fire</I> a film rarely seen in Bollywood. The story of two daughter-in-laws falling in love with each other made a scathing comment on male arrogance and complacency. The film was met with violent protest across India.
    Rare chemistry: Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das' electric performances made Deepa Mehta's Fire a film rarely seen in Bollywood. The story of two daughter-in-laws falling in love with each other made a scathing comment on male arrogance and complacency. The film was met with violent protest across India.
  • <b>Masala disaster</b>: Well, Karan Razdan's <i>Girlfriend</I> doesn't really deserve the badge of courage for its warped portrayal of a woman's possessive love for her female friend and roomate. The film was talked about for an explicit love sequence between its two female leads, Isha Koppikar and Amrita Arora.
    Masala disaster: Well, Karan Razdan's Girlfriend doesn't really deserve the badge of courage for its warped portrayal of a woman's possessive love for her female friend and roomate. The film was talked about for an explicit love sequence between its two female leads, Isha Koppikar and Amrita Arora.
  • <b>Brave indeed</b>: Director Onir's debut film <i>My Brother Nikhil</I> turned out to be an intense and sensitive portrayal of a gay man battling AIDS. Sanjay Suri did full justice to his character as Nikhil.
    Brave indeed: Director Onir's debut film My Brother Nikhil turned out to be an intense and sensitive portrayal of a gay man battling AIDS. Sanjay Suri did full justice to his character as Nikhil.
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  • <B>Not a straight film</B>: Mahesh Dattani's debut film <i>Mango Souffle</I> did manage to impress, but was aimed at very niche audience.
    Not a straight film: Mahesh Dattani's debut film Mango Souffle did manage to impress, but was aimed at very niche audience.
  • <b>Early beginnings</B>: Jabbar Patel's <i>Subah</I> starring the legendary Smita Patil and Girish Karnad was one of the earlier films to have explored the issue of lesbian love.
    Early beginnings: Jabbar Patel's Subah starring the legendary Smita Patil and Girish Karnad was one of the earlier films to have explored the issue of lesbian love.