Exclusive: ‘Badhaai Do’ Script Consultant Manish Gaekwad Opens Up About Authentic Portrayal Of Queer Love On Screen

Exclusive: ‘Badhaai Do’ Script Consultant Manish Gaekwad Opens Up About Authentic Portrayal Of Queer Love On Screen

There’s someone from the showbiz industry who I know professionally and personally. TBH, sometimes it is hard to distinguish because we get along like a house on fire. You could say, he’s my knight in shining armour. NGL, if I was queer I’d totally date him! He’s openly queer and happens to be the script consultant of the upcoming film Badhaai Do, starring Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar, which portrays queer love. But chalo, it’s time for a proper professional introduction. I got into an exclusive candid chat with my friend and journalist-turned-author Manish Gaekwad as he spilt the tea about working with the stellar cast and writers Suman Adhikary and Akshat Ghildial. Without further ado, let’s dive into this conversation about this queer-themed comedy-drama directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni and produced by Junglee Pictures that is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 11.

Q. How was the collaborative process of working on the script like? And what is the extent of your contribution?

Manish Gaekwad: The production team got in touch, probably because my first novel Lean Days was queer-themed. I met the writer-filmmaker team – Akshat Ghildial, Suman Adhikary and Harshavardhan Kulkarni. We went over their script, identified the red flags and changed them. I didn’t write any of it. I offered suggestions on how they could be more aware of queer issues and then approach them without reinforcing stereotypical depictions of queer lives.

Q. What are the challenges you faced while trying to tell this story authentically?

Manish Gaekwad: The writers faced all of the challenges, I didn’t. I advised them and they took the road that best suited the story they wanted to tell. The key was to not show queer people in the uninformed way that most filmmakers do, and without any participation from the queer folk in telling such stories.

Q. Do you expect any kind of backlash from the queer community on the portrayal of queer characters in the film?

Manish Gaekwad: Yes, but I also hope not. The writers have tried to be fair to the story and the characters that inhabit it. One can’t please all but strive for a balance without being offensive to anyone. But most importantly, it is a piece of fiction, so I hope the community does treat it accordingly and embrace the positive things it is filled with and not harp on the minor drawbacks if there are any.

 

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Q. From the first draft to the actual film, what was the journey like? Did you receive any feedback from the director or the actors?

Manish Gaekwad: I interacted with the writing-direction team much before the actors were cast. I found them very receptive and willing to see their story from a queer perspective. I had thoroughly enjoyed their previous work and felt they would keep an open mind to my ideas. We got along just fine.

Q. What is the one thing you wish the world knew and understood about queer people?

Manish Gaekwad: That they may be different but that does not mean they are not normal. The Rigveda says: Vikriti evam prakriti. What looks unnatural is also natural.

Q. In that vein, what is something that most movies/shows get wrong about queer portrayal?

Manish Gaekwad: That they are unnatural.

 

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Also Read: Bhumi Pednekar Sets Valentine’s Day Outfit Goals With Her Sheer Saree. We ‘Love’ This Look From ‘Badhaai Do’ Promotions!

Q. What are your favourite queer stories/characters that you thought really got it right on-screen?

Manish Gaekwad: Susan Sarandon once joked that her character Louise in Thelma and Louise could as well have been a lesbian and that would be fabulous. That way, I can interpret so many characters the way I think got their queerness right without even being queer at all.

Q. What’s your take on the argument that the industry continues to have straight actors portray queer people/trans people on screen? There’s a counterargument that true acceptance would to that gay people can play straight people and vice versa. Do you agree?

Manish Gaekwad: Straight actors telling queer stories should be as acceptable as queer people telling straight stories. But yes, queer people should be given a chance to do both, which I think will change eventually when queer people are empowered with equal rights and opportunities.

Q. What do you hope the audience takes away from Badhaai Do?

Manish Gaekwad: That love is love, really, and it’s no different for anyone.

For the uninitiated, Badhaai Do is a story about a couple, Shardul and Suman, played by Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar in a lavender marriage. This film is a spiritual sequel of Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao starrer 2018 film Badhaai HoBadhaai Do is set to release in the theatre on Friday, February 11.

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Janvi Manchanda

​​She uses her pen to slice through patriarchy. She could be Geet one day, Wednesday Addams next. Writing is the bane of her existence and the object of all her desires!

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