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Bollywood's gay hit
Advocate, The, July 5, 2005 by Bob Adams
India has a new gay film to debate: My Brother Nikhil focuses on a gay HIV-positive swimming star. But unlike with previous AIDS- or gay-themed films from Bollywood--such as the controversial Phir Milenge and the riot provoking Girlfriend--India's filmgoers are widely embracing Nikhil. That is particularly surprising, says Monica Mody of the gay rights group Break-through India, because the film is one of the first to avoid portraying gays as objects of scorn or ridicule.
Combating homophobia couldn't come at a better time: India is home to as many as 10 million HIV-positive residents, and gay men remain a significant risk group because fear limits access to HIV education. Gay Indians also hope Nikhil might boost an ongoing legal challenge to the nation's criminalization of gay sex, now punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
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