Sushant Divgikar feels homophobia is deep rooted in many institutions
Aparshakti hopes OTTs don’t become ‘corrupt, redundant’
Do you think the LGBTQ community is only interested in sex?” asks LGBTQI activist Sushant Divgikar, saying that’s one question he has been wondering ever since he heard about the Centre’s response to the
Delhi High Court on samesex marriage.
Last week, the Centre told the HC that there’s no fundamental right to seek recognition for same-sex marriage, stating that in India, marriage isn’t a union of two individuals but between a man and a woman. That has left Divgikar baffled.
The boom that the web space witnessed last year, owing to the pandemic, was unprecedented. Actor Aparshakti Khurana admits he never saw this coming, but he feels that OTT platforms are here to stay.
“There’s always going to be a never-ending debate on OTT vs theatres. But that was the same case when satellite TV was launched. People were like, ‘Ab film dekhne theatre kaun jayega’. We all know the situation... both the mediums survived. There are few TV channels
“They have such a low image of an entire community of people who’re not asking for special rights. We’re asking for equal rights, just like any other heterosexual couple. [You mean] a marriage is between a man and a woman for procreation. What if a same-sex couple also desires a child? Don’t call it a marriage, but at least call it a civil union or partnership,” says the model-actor-singer. that are still giving good content, while some have become corrupt,” notes the 33-year-old.
Khurana, however, fears that the case of too much might engulf OTT in the future. “TV mein toh aisa hua hi hai. I hope OTTs don’t become corrupt and redundant. I hope they don’t fade out; we don’t want too much of it,” he adds.
For the time being, the Stree (2018) actor is making the most of this new opportunity, and is doing a period drama series for a leading platform. “As an actor and as an audience, I’ve tried to keep myself as organic as possible. All of us are suckers for good content, chahe kisi
“Do you think the LGBTQI community is only interested in sex, and don’t require any health benefits?” Divgikar says and rues, “You are marginalising a community which is already marginalised.” Divgikar notes that almost every institution in the country has deep-rooted homophobia and transphobia. “Live and let live, and moreover, love and let love, between two consenting adults,” the activist adds.
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While Khurana agrees that films in theatres will always draw crowds, he is quick to point that now, film buffs wouldn’t settle for just about anything. “I’m glad we have good content on OTT, like Scam 1992 just blew things off. It was such a treat to watch. OTT is here to stay, but cinemas would always be cinemas. I’m not saying it as a film actor; an actor will always be an actor. I also did a web film called Kanpuriye. But yes, theatrical films would have to up their game with good content,” he concludes.