'my Parents Are Proud That I Am Playing A Lesbian'

Says newbie Preeti Gupta who features in the gay drama Unfreedom that has been banned by the Indian government



Considering the volatile environment in the Censor Board a direct effect of the control that the current government is exercising was it wise to make your debut in a film that was bound to get into trouble?
I reacted to the script, which I felt was fabulous. There was a story here that had to be told and I wanted to be a part of it, irrespective of other factors. I was prepared for the controversy around the film as we’re still very conservative as far as addressing LGBT issues are concerned, but nothing prepared me for the ban.



Theres a fair amount of physical intimacy in the film. How tricky was it to sail through that?
Im straight so to make love to another woman on-screen was difficult. But gradually, we got comfortable and since the role demanded that kind of intimacy, I gave myself completely to it as its a strong form of expression. My character in the film comes from a lower middle-class background so its a bigger challenge for her to open up to the society.

Are you implying that it is easier for the elites to accept homosexuality?
It is. Elites have found open-expression and they tend to be more progressive and accepting as opposed to the lower strata of Indian society.

One of the scenes in the film also involves corrective rape. As someone whos closely understood the community through the film, what are the challenges that the LGBTs face in contemporary India?
Criminalisation. For us to accept them for what they are, we need to first decriminalise based on their sexual choice. How ridiculous is that? Till the time we dont have a dialogue about it in a progressive manner, the discrimination will continue taking us back to the dark ages. Trust me, it is a very big struggle for them to be accepted in our society.



How did your parents react to the fact that youve chosen a lesbian drama as your first film?
They were very proud. Thankfully, I have been raised in an environment that encourages open thought. Not just my family, but even my friends are very proud of Unfreedom, as much as I am. If I had to go back and rethink my debut, Id still go with Unfreedom.

Lastly, the CBFC has termed the film as a feature that will ‘ignite unnatural passions among people. Your reaction?
Well, I think you should go ask them why theyve reacted in such a hostile way. Ive acted in the film so obviously, I will stand by it.


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