India: ‘Forbidden Fantasies’ TV show ‘breaks homosexuality taboo’
MTV India has broadcast a program about a lesbian romance in spite of homosexuality being illegal in the country.
‘The Big F’ is an anthology series about young people’s ‘forbidden fantasies’ and the latest episode focuses on Sharmistha, a young fashion student, who struggles to come to terms with her sexuality.
Sharmistha is repeatedly, indirectly reminded that she is not ‘normal’ and is often mocked for not having a boyfriend.
She eventually falls for Madhurima, a model who has been assigned to her by her college.
The show follows their romance and depicts the couple kissing several times.
Manimanjari Sengupta, a writer at Scoop Whoop, heaped praise on the show, saying that whilst the current laws in India criminalising homosexuality are “embarrassingly archaic,” it is “extremely heartening” to see same-sex relationships continue to be portrayed on Indian television.
She also pointed out that “…this representation of homosexual romance that was done primarily under the banner of ‘forbidden desires’ is problematic,
“But the very fact that homosexuality is being talked about, and focused on in Indian TV is indeed commendable.”
The Indian Supreme Court chose to recriminalise homosexuality back in 2013.
Earlier this month the Grey’s anatomy was subject to a notice issued by the Indian Broadcasting Content Complaints Council of India for depicting a lesbian character talking about her inability to please her partner in bed.
It is unknown whether the Indian government will take take any action against MTV India and ‘The Big F’ after it went one step further than the popular American medical drama and actually depicted a lesbian romance on screen.
