Entertainment /
MTV India’s Big F Challenges Attitudes By Airing A Lesbian Romance Episode
MTV India’s Big F Challenges Attitudes By Airing A Lesbian Romance Episode
Entertainment Nov 19, 2015
Though India has repealed Section 377, the new frontier challenging homophobia is television. MTV India aired a recent episode of Big F featuring a lesbian plotline. The central couple kiss and act like regular folks without the shrill crying and evil villains of the saas-bahu dramas from the Ekta Kapoor K factory.
Photo Credit: MTV India
Although portrayals of same-sex couples are prominent in shows like Modern Family, Empire, Will and Grace and so many more western programs, they're a complete first for Indian television. This is rather telling for the ecstatic editorials on this particular episode. And rightly so!
Photo Credit: MTV India
It's historic to see this on Indian television, since even though the saas-bahu dramas contain women who are feisty and resist some aspects of the patriarchy, a lot of the self-serving and dutiful traits in every good heroine uphold patriarchal tendencies. There's no sanskaari turn of events in this romance. The couples are mostly chaste and then marry men and realize the "error" of their sexualities.
Photo Credit: MTV India
Since this is only one episode in a series where the F stands for "forbidden," "firsts" and "fantasies" that has covered the sexy neighbour fantasy, the curvy-with-a-fit-boyfriend fantasy, the sexy teacher and more, it's disappointing that this lesbian romance is coded as "forbidden." Host Gautam Gulati chimes in every once in a while to surmise what just happened and poses lots of questions about "what would happen if Sharmishta felt this way about Madhurima?" These kinds of questions are likely supposed to allow the audience to feel progressive and accepting, but they come off a bit like, "Oooh, what could these lesbians do next?" with this delivery.
Yet despite these critiques, I admire the show for legitimizing the fact that desire is a huge factor when you've got a crush on someone. So many Indian television shows keep romances sanskaari, so lots of hand brushing past each other that sends the heroine into a tizzy. It's just not realistic. Thankfully, MTV India is honest enough to show that not every gesture sends someone wild. So when fashion student Sharmishta looks at pictures of Madhurima wearing her clothes or when she is physically close to her, we can see she's crushing and turned on too. It's these small gestures that make this episode so refreshing because they make the mundanities of love so universal — whether it's freaking out over sending the next text or wondering whether to make the first move.
The episode does keep things realistic in that Sharmishta is stigmatized by her peers. One remarks bluntly, "I'm straight and I'm normal!" These moments might hit home for many viewers who've felt shunned and ashamed of their sexuality, and the topic is handled well despite the didactic tone at times. Yet it's still a bit of a cop-out to insert the unnecessary male influences, with Sharmishta's friend also crushing on Madhurima. Hello, it's 2015, and we don't need the insertion of heteronormative story elements to sanctify any same-sex love story! Alas, despite these annoying moments, the episode remains rooted in the real and universal things that happen in relationships, so kudos for that.
Yes, the couple do make history and kiss, which is what much of the fanfare has been about. It's an amazing change from the tropes that were abundant in Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak, which featured a gay man married to a straight woman whose story quickly eclipsed his storyline. Yet there's still hope for Indian TV to further break the mould, with Anil Kapoor buying the rights to Modern Family and claiming that he'd be okay playing Mitch or Cam, which would be unbelievably great to see.
While this episode sets a huge precedent, let's hope that the new wave of Indian television, whether it's this show or the many great web series coming out, challenges the status quo and ruffles some feathers in the process in depicting the frankly normal occurrences of many couples in love.
Main Image Photo Credit: MTV India
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Up Close & Personal with Sandhya Suri on Her Oscar-Bound Film 'Santosh'
-
Bollywood 2024 Recap: The Good, the Bad, and the 'Who Asked for This?'
-
Must-Watch or Pass? Your Definitive Guide to the Upcoming Bollywood Films This Winter
-
How PBS Series 'Renegades' Celebrates American History's Most Badass Disabled Changemakers
-
14 Bollywood Remakes Vs. Their Hollywood Originals - Who Did It Better?
-
Catch Pakistan's 1st Ever Hand-Drawn Animated Film 'The Glassworker' & Other South Asian Films At Reel Asian Festival
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
