Bollywood star: Indian anti-gay law contradicts our culture- ‘it’s completely OK to be gay’
Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor has spoken about India’s anti-gay law to say that it contradicts the country’s culture, and that the film industry could begin to explore same-sex relationships.
Section 377, a colonial-era section of the Penal Code which bans homosexuality, was re-enacted by India’s Supreme Court in December, and in January the same court rejected an appeal against the decision.
Speaking to the Associated Press in Cannes, Kapoor discussed last year’s Palme d’Or winner ‘Blue is the Warmest Colour’, and Section 377.
“Well you know, unfortunately, in our country right now recently there is a law which does not, which basically had said that homosexuality is not legal which is very sad,” she said.
Continuing, she said the law contradicted the culture and that “it’s completely all-right, it’s completely OK to be gay.”
Speaking on Bollywood, she said she thought if same-sex relationships took to the big screen in India, it could possible bring about change.
“We’ve regressed instead of progressing,” she said. “I think movies can influence the way people think sometimes and if we do start making love stories or we start making movies about people who are amazing human beings, people who have done something in life, people who are inspirational who aren’t necessarily only straight, I think people will start appreciating them more.”
“So yeah, I think we need to expose India a little bit more so we should make more movies about them.”
