Actor, director, and LGBTQ+ activist Palash Dutta says that while the film industry may appear to be more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, the reality is often very different. He adds that many members of the industry still cannot speak openly about their sexuality due to societal and professional pressures.
“I have been in this industry for almost 30 years now, and I feel homophobia still exists in Bollywood and all across the world! People in Bollywood claim to be very accepting and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, but they still ridicule and mock the gay community behind their backs. In fact, I know of many actors and directors who are bisexual or gay, but to the outside world, they pose as straight men and lead double lives. They get married or date women due to stigma and peer pressure. Such hypocrisy is rampant in Bollywood,” he says.
Speaking on the significance of Pride Month, he shares, “For me, Pride Month in June is a celebration for the community to raise their voices against the atrocities, hatred, and violence they face — to tell the world, ‘We do exist!’ They are a part of the human race and deserve dignity, social status, and pride in their existence. They shouldn’t be deprived of their rights under the law. There needs to be sensitisation and awareness campaigns created from the grassroots level. Schools must conduct workshops for children and make them aware that the world is home to a large and diverse community of people — and we must embrace them all. Children must be instilled with the values of unity in diversity.”
He adds, “The LGBTQ+ community, especially the transgender community, remains the most marginalised. More training programmes must be initiated by the government to help provide them with a basic source of income through workshops and other initiatives so they can become self-reliant. However, there are several states where the transgender community is doing commendable work and uplifting their people over time. There are so many living examples from the community who have achieved great success in their respective fields — and while progress is slow, it’s certainly positive. Their voices are being heard in Parliament, and some amendments are being made.”
Palash also hopes to contribute meaningfully to the community. “If given the chance and financial support, I would definitely want to do something substantial for them in the near future — in my small capacity — whether through storytelling or by forming a production company that hires and trains trans members. There are such talented queer individuals in the community. They just need guidance and support. In today’s times, when there is so much hatred, what the community truly needs is love, compassion, and acceptance.”
When asked about the challenges the LGBTQ+ community still faces, he reiterates, “If given a chance and financial support, I would definitely want to do something substantial for them in the near future in my small capacity — through storytelling or maybe forming a production company and hiring and training trans members. These talented queer individuals just need proper guidance and support. In today’s world filled with hatred, all the community needs is love, compassion, and acceptance.”
Sharing a deeply personal experience, Palash recalls facing prejudice on a professional set. “Two years ago, on the sets of my web series Inspector Avinash, I was playing a transgender character. I was verbally ridiculed by a senior technician who passed some snide comments at me. There were two to three other well-known co-actors who were part of that conversation, and even they laughed it off without supporting me or taking a stand.”
