Is Vikram Bhatt's upcoming web release using lesbianism for publicity?

Digital streaming platforms have become a free arena to experiment with issues which would have to otherwise use muted words on prime time television. But in many cases, these attempts fizzle out in comparison with the hype that they create for their choice of bold concepts.

Popular television actress Leena Jumani’s liplock with actress Priyal Gor for an upcoming web series on the issue of same-sex love is the latest to take the internet by storm. The reactions it has managed to garner over a short period of time hammer home how such issues have either remained neglected or embraced premature death after serving the primary purpose of creating curiosity among the audience.

For the uninitiated, the liplock video is part of Maaya 2, an online series by Vikram Bhatt. He has his own digital platform VBontheWeb.

The first season, now available on YouTube, was on BDSM (erotic roleplay involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadomasochism etc). The new series, directed by Vikram Bhatt’s daughter Krishna Bhatt, will release on May 30.

As a teaser, what can be better than a love-lock scene between two women, to shock the audience!

No, this is not the first Indian TV series on lesbianism

In 2015, MTV came up with its show The Big F exploring various aspects of homosexuality. The Fs stand for forbidden, firsts, fantasies. In its sixth episode, called “I Kissed a girl”, the theme was that of a lesbian relationship. The initiative was applauded, but not path-breaking.

Instead, the advertisement of an ethnic wear brand, featuring two women preparing to meet the parents of one to introduce themselves as a couple, was natural, devoid of any pretence.

 

Even in today's modern world the barrier between us and the LGBTQ community is not completely broken! We still sometimes feel awkward around them, but that's how humans are, you feel weird when you can't completely understand someone or something! Be as it is, I have lived and loved each and every moment shooting as my character in my upcoming web series Maaya2! Playing Ruhi's role has taught me a great deal about love and that nothing is more important than love irrespective of the caste, creed or gender and also that 'Pyaar Pyaar hota hai!' The world will say what it does and people will judge like they do, but I as a human send all my love and compassion to everyone belonging to the LGBTQ community for accepting themselves and coming out as it takes a lot of courage to do so! Maaya 2 releasing on 30th may! @vbontheweb_ @officialjiocinema @vikrampbhatt @krishnavbhatt @arjunkrishna2

A post shared by Leena Jumani (@leena_real) on May 3, 2018 at 7:41am PDT

Pretence and stereotypes

The Indian entertainment industry has, so far, displayed a lack of sensitivity in treating the issue of homosexuality. In television serials as old as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, there were gay characters with over-the-top effiminate characteristics, lending comic element to the plot. As far as the lesbian characters are concerned, they are part of a love triangle involving a man, which also gives a heterosexual angle to the story.

All these stereotypes make the narrative half-baked. Even MTV's Big F muted the word "gay" in one of the episodes. 

According to reports, Maaya 2 will revolve around a closeted lesbian, engaged to a man, who will discover and accept her sexuality. It remains to be seen whether the series can substantially leave a mark, as it has roped in television actresses to essay the roles. 

Also read: How they built Vijayanagara — the divine capital of Hindu sultans