I think I have as much problem with sardar/blonde jokes. Oh well…

And I don’t know if this is a step in the right direction. If all through most of the movie gay people were treated as if they are suffering from a contagious disease of some sort. That the mom accepts her son’s sexuality, albeit false, is sort-of a step in the right direction. Because it’s not really that easy for parents and I don’t see “maa da ladla bigad gaya” as acceptance “_

I saw the movie about 2 weeks ago - I live in California. When I saw it I didn’t know it was set up as largely about the gay thing and I went in not knowing anything about it. I think you (meetu) were harsher than I would have been but that is partly because I have come to accept the treatment of gays in India. Maybe I should have been more offended. But then sometimes I think, well, whenever we make jokes about people there is someone who might be offended, so why is this different … like sardarji jokes etc. I think it is okay to make fun of people if it is understood clearly that “of course this is a joke”. I don’t think that is true about homosexuals in Indian movies. Unfortunately people make fun of gays because they actually think they are a completely different species or something and that, I think, is bad. I agree that the movie did not show gays as being normal people and it just portrayed the same stereotypes as usual.

You seem to be disturbed by all the jokes about gays, but I think I would excuse that in itself since it was meant to be a comedy. If it was a serious movie, and they made fun of 2 gay guys, I would have issues with it.

I was actually surprised Abhishek and John - very mainstream/popular actors - agreed to do this, and I am happy they did, even if they are not really gay in the movie. I hope this is a step in the right direction.

Another thing I have to mention is the amount of (male) exposure in it. I didn’t realise Hindi movies had come this far - it is not like I watch Hindi movies much but still ….. last time I had seen John was many years ago, and he is much changed now. The short suits him by far, and he definitely has built a stunning body

And, oh … if it is not obvious yet, I am Indian, gay and very normal

I strongly recommend Almodovar’s movies too on alternate sexuality! “All about my mother” - is awesome!

This movie takes homosexuality and makes it humorous by reinforcing stereotypes thus dismissing it altogether. What we laugh at, we do not take seriously. Most mainstream cinema anywhere in the world including Hollywood does the same, they reinforce stereotypes which fit in with the prevailing patriarchal attitude on family, marriage, and relationships. Family means, man and woman plus children, same sex families are an aberration.
Relationships means man and woman only, nothing more and nothing less and sex of course is meant only for procreation. By that understanding sex between people of the same gender would of course, not merit a serious consideration barring a few laughs. If it still persists, then moral condemnation is the order of the day.
This movie goes all over town to emphasise how desirable both John and Abhishek are, as far as heterosexual relationships are concerned. Loving shots of John’s butt, chest and other parts are shot in sun tan lotion smooth frames. Ironically this could also appeal to the “gays” out there and not just the women! We have a scene where women bid for them and another where mod aunties nearly rape Abhishek.
So there we have it, they are both hunks and studs, who have the women ripping their bodices and falling all over them.

!!! Spoilers ahead !!!

Of course, now they stay with Priyanka so they can only be friends with her even though they are so strongly attracted to her. All the hugs and kisses, and the intimate moments are only “friendship” moments, there is no hint of anything sexual there, God Forbid! It is only in the initial phase where they first meet her, that we see them getting aroused.
Even when they arrange special dates with her, it is only about friendship and everyone goes dewy eyed about it.
Then in comes Bobby Deol, and he is married with a kid, but his wife has left him. His character reinforces one end of the continuum of patriarchy, the “normal” married male, with Abhishek and John reinforcing the other, the “hunk studs”.
In a patriarchal understanding of sexuality, hunk studs, ultimately end up getting married, and have a normal family.
We do not really understand why Priyanka is attracted to Bobby, unless it is that he seems intelligent (he certainly does not look it) and earns well, compared to the other two. And also, very interestingly, he has a conventional job while the other two, are one, a male nurse, and a fashion photographer! Which sane girl would marry them?
So when Bobby rejects her on the basis of his son’s dislike (another shot in the arm for the “normal” family over sexuality), Priyanka cannot marry the other two hunks because she has stayed with them for so long!
This locates sexuality within the domain of a “normal” heterosexual family and not outside it. So even though she knows that the two hunks love her and are attracted to her, she does not end up with one of them, but instead riding on a very puerile and a so called sensational twist in the plot, the hunks have to liplock and beg forgiveness, and she is free to marry Bobby who then very understandingly says “they really are your best friends, I could never have done that”, thus sanctifying the fact that what existed between the hunks and Priyanka so far was only friendship and nothing else.
Priyanka can only marry Bobby, as that is the only definition of marriage that “normal” patriarchal society would accept.
Having stayed with the other two men, even though they were “officially gay” and then getting married to one of them, would challenge the mainstream understanding of sexuality, how can a woman marry a man with whom she has stayed outside of marriage? The film firmly locates sexuality in the domain of marriage, and that too of course a “normal” marriage.
The whole thing is set in Miami, and not in our good old country as such things do not happen here.
If this film is about bringing homosexuality out of the closet, then I am the Pope!
It brings out alternate sexualities, and examines it in a most superficial way, reinforcing every known stereotype for laughs, and then dismisses it as irrelevant.
Sexuality and relationships therefore can only be “patriarchal” which is right and decent, everything else is only friendship.
If at all we encounter it is to be laughed at, like the poor soldier at the hot dog stand.
And yes sensitive films which are very funny have been made about this topic, one could try Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. Absolutely mainstream but a very sensitive and satirical look at non mainstream relationships.
Philadelphia also comes to mind.
There have been N number of Latin American films which deal with alternative sexuality, you could try some of Pedro Almodovar’s films.

Dostana is a fab movie from the viewpoint of an audience, not from some self appointed critic (who says i am like the audience) like u. Ppl, just ask for a word of mouth from ur friends.
Good movie,watch it.