India may confront one of its longest held taboos this year, as the film "Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun" threatens to present Bollywood with its first gay kiss.
Due to the film's focus on a gay relationship, many have begun to compare the film to "Brokeback Mountain," and are hoping that the film will challenge prejudice in a similar manner. Despite its size, Bollywood has long been unusually conservative - until recently even heterosexual kissing was considered shocking.
"Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun", which translates as 'Don't Know Why," was made last year after a High Court overturned a law outlawing homosexuality. The full legalization of homosexuality is expected but still must pass India's Supreme Court.
With the film due for release in May, posters for the film showing two naked men embracing have begun to be shown around Indian cities. While bound to cause controversy, the film's director, Sanjay Sharma, says he's confident that censors will approve the film for release. As Sharma recently told the BBC."At the moment I'm not thinking about any political or censor problems."
Recent Bollywood movies such as "Dostana" and "September 11" have begun to challenge stereotypes. In "Dostana", a heterosexual couple have to act as a gay couple in order to convince their landlord to let his attractive daughter live with them. "September 11", a film based upon the 9/11 attacks, was the first Bollywood film to show male buttocks.
Dunno Y, however, goes further than that, telling the story of a male model who goes to Mumbai to make his fortune, and the sexual relationship with another man that awaits him.
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