Highlighting homosexuality in movies has started to become a norm for KJo. Starting from Dostana and the recent one being Kapoor & Sons. But, in reality, how far have people come in accepting homosexuality?
While talking to Filmfare in an interview Karan Johar said, “Acceptance is still a long way but at least we’re aware. That’s the first stage. There was once a point when we weren’t even aware.”
“It [Kapoor And Sons] was [risky] and we fought many odds. Many actors refused Fawad Khan’s role for various reasons. Everyone was worried about how the film would shape up but Shakun (Batra) and I had faith in it. It was a powerful screenplay, it connected with the audience. It was brave and beautiful at the same time,” he said.
However, this is not the first time KJo discussed homosexuality; one of his earlier works Dostana also touched upon the topic.
“People criticised me for stereotyping homosexuality in Dostana but I’m the only filmmaker who put it out on the big scale. It’s ridiculous how unaware people were before Dostana. The film, at least, brought the conversation of homosexuality into the drawing room of every urban home,” said the director.
And he feels rewarded having done so, he added, “I’ve received at least a thousand emails from kids, youngsters, teenagers, seniors… thanking me for making that film because now their parents are aware of the concept of homosexuality. It’s not brushed under the carpet anymore.”
“I’ve always tried to address it in my own way. I’m not apologetic about Dostana. I’ve got a question for those intellectuals who think the movie was stereotypical… what are they doing? Rather than writing about it in columns no one will read, or making a self-indulgent film, might as well use pop culture to make people aware of homosexuality,” KJo said.
“We make movies. Movies are an extension of our emotions especially when you write them yourself. They reflect your thoughts, your insecurities and your sensitivities. So of course, we’re all sensitive being in a creative industry,” he concluded.
