Tundla Junction

Buoyed by the Delhi High Kourt’s recent judgment dekriminalising homosexuality, widely overrated Bollywood filmmaker and talkshow host Kkaran Johar came out of the kloset today.

Mr. Johar made the announcement on his talkshow Koffee With Karan to a largely indifferent studio audience. “I am happy he has finally kome to grips with his identity,” said a dreary Vimal Agarwal, an audience member. “We the people have known this forever,” he added, between yawns.

Not everyone is so indifferent. These events have stirred up a flurry of excitement among sociologists. “We are eager to observe the social ramifications. How does a society like India react where traditionally my private life is everyone’s business. How much I eat, who I marry, when I have kids, my paycheck, my hemorrhoids – all these things are as much of concern to my neighbours as they are to me. In such a culture, how long does something remain taboo even after it becomes legal? That is the question,” said noted sociologist Giridhar Pandey.

The announcement also elated BJP and VHP goons, who rarely get the opportunity to disrupt the peace other than on Valentine’s Day. It was also a shot in the arm for communal harmony in India as leaders of all major religions united to condemn Mr. Johar. One religious leader, who was on trial in an adjacent courtroom on charges of fraud, rape and child molestation, said, “I am firmly against this travesty of justice by the Delhi High Court. Now we will have one less demographic for the people of India to harass and subjugate.  What will happen to our national character and our values if we start giving equal rights to all citizens?”

While the general public is largely apathetic and religious “leaders” are outraged, Indian industry has offered its support for the LGBT demographic. CII chairman Venu Srinivasan released a statement last week stating that

The court’s decision has opened up a new market segment for Indian businesses. We may have to change our longstanding, proud tradition of workplace discrimination, but the benefits of this new market far outweigh the cost of cosmetic changes in HR policy.

Nevertheless, Mr. Johar’s kourageous move is likely to pave the way for other high profile LGBT Bollywood celebrities. Stardust magazine has reported that

Those expected to follow in Kkaran’s footsteps include Uday Chopra (transvestite), Mandira Bedi (lesbian), Salman Khan (bisexual) and teenage heartthrob Ranbir Kkapoor (gay).

While the reputation and journalistik tradition of Stardust do not match up to those of Tundla Junction, it is inkonceivable that Bollywood will not rally around Mr. Johar who is well-loved in the industry.

Photo credit: Bangalore Gay Pride Parade