Ayushmann Khurrana’s Comment About Same Sex Marriages Has Everyone Riled Up. But Won’t The Movie Open Up An Important Dialogue?

Ayushmann Khurrana’s Comment About Same Sex Marriages Has Everyone Riled Up. But Won’t The Movie Open Up An Important Dialogue?

There’s so much wrong with the world, and each day we write about issues that need attention, from a progressive perspective, or at least that’s our attempt. Somehow, it feels more satisfying than anything else because we feel like we are contributing to the change we want to see in our society. Even if an article makes just a few people really think, it still amounts to something. But I’ll admit, this has brought my subconscious thoughts to my conscious mind and I am grateful for that. However, what makes me really happy is whenever an Ayushmann Khurrana movie is around the corner. This guy is truly changing the face of Bollywood armed with films that aim to break taboos and stereotypes, at a point that’s crucial in India. Through his next Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, he is oiling the wheels of progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ community.

It’s been more than a year since the Supreme Court of India decriminalised same-sex relationships, but there’s a huge disparity between the laws and social mindsets. A huge chunk of our society is still homophobic. In fact, Ayushmann revealed that he was asked to re-think portraying a gay character, especially because it also involves kissing scenes between the lead pair. “Doing Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan was one of the most important decisions of my life. A lot of people from the industry asked me to re-think this because no leading hero has ever portrayed a gay man on screen. But I knew, this stereotype needed to be shattered and the time to change it, is now. I somehow knew I had to do it and take the plunge,” he told IANS.

However, while I think that this movie is only intending to good by opening up vistas for the LGBTQ+ community, Ayushmann Khurrana received flak for it. Recently, in a media interview he mistakenly said that same-sex marriages have been legalised in India, which is obviously not the case (not yet.) That gave enough opportunity to the people of Twitter, who attempt to bring down the most well-meaning celebrity by highlighting a genuine mistake. They criticised him for his comment and questioned his motive behind all the conversations he is having about the film. He got accused for using the LGBTQ+ community for commercial benefits.

But I would like to ask these people, yes, there may be gimmicks involved, but doesn’t every actor use festivals and other things to promote his movie? Or do they expect him to not promote his film at all? For a film to reach a wider audience, it’s important to promote it well before the release. In an ideal world, a subject like this would be enough to pull the crowds but in reality all it does is get you critical acclaim if the promotions don’t work.

Bollywood sells in our country and if an actor is using his influence to send out a need-of-the-hour social message, then we should applaud him instead of pulling him down. Thankfully, a lot of sane people are actually doing that.

Ayushmann expressed that he wants this movie to reach as many people as possible to truly fulfill its purpose. “I have a free pass to do all things different and quirky and I wanted to raise nationwide awareness on the taboos linked with the LGBTQ community at large. I was sure that we have to make Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan as a full family entertainer that brings a smile to people’s faces, to spread the message of the film to as many people as possible across the country and I’m thrilled with how the movie has shaped up,” he said.

ALSO READ: Ayushmann Khurrana’s Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Will Show Same-Sex Intimate Scenes. Question Is, Is The Audience Ready?

Coming back to his comment on same-sex marriages having been legalised in India, it’s an error that he should have been more careful not to make. But we are all human, and a mistake cannot overshadow his genuine efforts towards this cause. In fact, Ayushmann being Ayushmann, issued a public apology for it. How many actors have we seen doing that? “A genuine slip here though I really wish same-sex marriages get legal in India,” he tweeted. We get you, Ayushmann and we support you!

ALSO READ: Kerala’s First Openly Married Gay Couple Filed A Petition To Legally Register Their Marriage. It’s About Time!

Akanksha Narang

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