Sexuality in Bollywood: Treatment of Homosexuals and Transvestites Part One

A skewed onscreen representation of homosexuals has been recurrent in both old and new Bollywood films. Older cinema’s treatment of these forms is harsher, since they likely will demean these forms of sexuality for their own purposes. Although not thoughtfully done, the fact that Murder 2 did not implement transvestites as an element of comedy points to a more developed handling of different sexualities. Other films have been increasingly shedding light on the struggles that homosexual men and women are currently facing in India.

In the past, the main purpose of any scene featuring transvestites was primarily comedy. Transvestites maintain open sexual expression in movies and are allowed more explicit dialogue than any other character. Donned in garish outfits, they are overly animated as they outwardly vocalize their desire for men in pitchy voices. Transvestites are mostly utilized in tense scenes.. In Anjaam[1994], Johnny Lever performs the role of a transvestite to provide comic relief. This movie revolves around Madhuri Dixit who is taking revenge on a man and all those who aided him in the destruction of her family. Among this madness, Lever, the capricious leader of two other transvestites, is seen onscreen committing petty crimes and flirting with male police officers to dodge jail time. Lever and his crew are able relieve much of pressure from the terrible the series of deaths occurring by bursting in with their amusing stunts.

Homosexuality in its pure form, without the shelter of transvestites, is a touchier subject to the Indian audience. Nevertheless, Bollywood has been slowly opening up to the gay community in their films with both a mature and immature views. While treatment concerning transvestites is almost always insensitive, films concerning homosexuality alone are sometimes handled with more caution. Films like, My Brother…Nikhil [2005] and Fashion [2008], break away from the stereotypes from the gay community with hard hitting, meaningful messages. My Brother...Nikhil addresses the topic of AIDS in the gay community. Sanjay Suri and Purab Kohli play the roles of the gay couple, but Suri is the one that contracts HIV. Suri’s homosexuality and disease makes his familiy shun him and throw him out of their home. He is also kicked off of the swimming team because of the illness. This film focuses intelligently on the issue of AIDS in the gay community.

Similarly, Fashion deals with the struggles of coming out of the closet. Fashion has three leading ladies: Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, and Mugdha Godse.  Godse has a marriage arrangement with Samir Soni, a closeted gay man. As an older unmarried man, Soni begins to face skepticism about his sexual orientation. He attempts to dispel these rumors with his marriage to Godse. Although Godse and Soni’s story is a subplot, it still is critical of the rejection of homosexuals in Indian community.

Shuddh Desi Romance: Music Review

 Music Director: Sachin-Jigar

Starring: Parneeti Chopra,Sushant Singh Rajput,

Vaani Singh

Shuddh Desi Romance is a very interesting soundtrack to say the least. Quirky and fun, these are pleasant desi tunes that play wonderfully with the ears. We dance between high and low, creating a wonderful fusion between old school and new school Bollywood. Shuddh Desi Romance soundtrack bears a resemblance to the soundtrack format of Madras Cafe, since a large portion of the soundtrack in devoted to instrumentals. This Yash Raj film has plenty of acclaimed singers to pump this soundtrack up with unconventional sounds for the youth.

Beginning the soundtrack is the much anticipated, Tere Mere Beech Mein, which is already loved by everyone since the release of its cutesy promo video, which has the young couple doing laundry, cooking, and dancing in towels. This is the sweet romantic duet in the movie and its between our favorite Chauhans (who bear no relation to each other) Sunidhi Chauhan and Mohit Chauhan. It is so desi, especially with its Hinglish and old school Western instrumentals. Typical girl and boy banter throughout gives the song a unique perspective. Its sounds like happier song from the Barfi soundtrack. 4.5/5

Gulabi Shuddh Desi Romance's paints the soundtrack pink with color. This almost sounds like a dance style number like Dum Dum from Band Baaja Baraat, kind of something made for Ranveer Singh. It has a slight R&B flair combined with a desi flavor. Sung beautifully by slightly autotuned  Jigar Suraiya  and Priya Suraiya and paired with an wide array of addictive instrumentals, this song is a winner. 5/5

Divya Kumar, famous from Allah Meherbaan from Ghanchakkar, takes the third song in Shuddh Desi Romance. Chanchal Mann Ati Random, is truly random. It starts one way and takes a kind of jarring oddish turn. It is eccentric in a good way with the direction it takes. Its part rock, part qawaali, and part of who knows what. Towards the end it looses control in a good way. The songs oddities may throw some listeners off. 3.5/5

Shuddh Desi Romance, the title song comes next. It is a duet between two of the other current favorites, Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade. This song takes a similar turn that Teri Mere Beech Mein had, except for more harmonium. This title track doesn't play out as a situtational number like most title tracks tend to do and carves out a niche in the soundtrack itself. Its a pleasurable, feel-good song, like the others songs. By using Hinglish and crazy instrumental arrangements, this song is totally unique. 4/5

Here come the instrumentals. They take some the flavor from the prior songs in Shuddh Desi Romance, but are more subdued. Mujhe Kiss Sakte Ho take a minimal approach, with a soft touch of piano, guitar, harmonium, and other instrumentals. It is a very gentle sound and could definitely be listened to alone. 4/5

Love in Jaipur has some uncredited female singer. It takes on a spicy salsa beat fused with a bit of desi of course. It sounds like the typical traditional women gathering song, but later take a grocery store style slow jazz style. This will definitely excel on the silver screen behind the characters. 3/5

Tezz Wala Attraction has some whistling and shares the same breezy flavor our beginning songs had 3/5

Good bahus smoke in the bathroom,
 not in front of people

Boyfriend Banogey is more ballsy than the previous instrumentals. It has coarser beats and shares some of Gulabi's melody. This could definitely be the theme number for our Kai Po Che hero Sushant Singh Rajput. 3/5

Bhanwara Man Bhatake has the same flavor, though slightly more traditional, it has brief male singer part, but has no credited singer either. Not much to listen to here. 2/5

Shuddh Desi Romance pretty much has all solid numbers, despite most being instrumentals. Sachin-Jigar made a definite effort to compose some unique songs and pulled in inspiration from many different genres. These songs will make you great, and  transport you back to early Bollywood and rocket you towards future Bollywood. Shuddh Desi Romance is so tastefully fun it puts a smile on your face without sounding ridiculous or childish.

My Picks: Gulabi, Teri Mere Beech Mein, Shuddh Desi Romance, Mujse Kiss Sakte Ho

What's your favorite song?
BollywoodBegum

Grand Masti: Music Review

Music Directors: Anand Raj Anand, Sanjeev, Darshan

Starring: Ritesh Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Vivek Oberoi

The music composers were obviously not serious when they composed songs for Grand Masti. There are only five songs on this comedy's soundtrack, and three of them are barely legitimate songs. For a sequel to such a successful comedy, we certainly expect better. Comedies aren't supposed to have amazingly ethereal soundtracks, but at least something along the lines of Ghanchakkar is expected.

Which gay bar should we hit next?

Grand Masti is off to a shaky start with the title track, Grand Masti featuring and composed by Sanjeev, Darshan. They sing alongside female vocalist, Payal Dev. The song begins with English rap and flows into Hindi. It begins to get irritating when they say "Grand Masti Grand Masti Pa Pa Pa Pa" over and over again, however the background beat is solid. 2/5

Zulmi Zulmi is sung by Mika Singh. This annoying countryish beats are as equally bad as Singh's drunken voice. The lyrics are jarring and the instrumentals are headache inducing. Nothing good here. 2/5

Tu Bhi Mood Hai continues with the same kind of trumpet and flute instrumentals the rest of the Grand Masti has. These songs are hard to tell apart from another. This Anand Raj Anand composition is a duet between Wajid Khan and an unaccredited female singer. 3/5

Classy

Grand Masti (Remix) is takes the irritation of the original to the maximum capacity of horribleness. Its just upsetting and techno. Nothing else to say.  1/5

Grand Masti (Mashup) isn't even a real song. Horrible horrible mix of all the songs together. No. 0/5

In the end, Grand Masti is a grand failure. It's like the composers put no real thought into creating a meaningful soundtrack. All of the songs melt into each other to form a huge pool of disaster. There is next to nothing redeeming about this.

Was this soundtrack as bad as I make it seem?

BollywoodBegum

Zanjeer: Music Review

Music Directors: Chitrantan Bhatt, Anand Raj Anand, Meet Bros Anjan and Ankit

Starring: Priyanka Chopra, Ram Charan, Sanjay Dutt

"Not so most comfortable with this hug"

The Zanjeer remake's marketability is off to a rough start with the introduction of the Telegu actor Ram Charan, however Priyanka Chopra will absolutely be the the saving grace when it comes to bringing in the audiences. The three music composers have a lot on their hands with the Zanjeer soundtrack, as it will be compared to the original. 

Zanjeer begins with Mumbai Ka Hero featuring Mika Singh and Talia Benson. This Chitrantan Bhatt
composition the typical roguish hero song that Mika Singh is popular for with bits and pieces of rap and speaking verses tossed in the middle. Its reminiscent of "Udd Udd Dabangg".  I'm sure that Talia Benson is responsible for the horrible female rap intrusion in the middle. Here's a lyric from it, "Oh my god is that your gun?!! Can I hold it pleeeease???" This song offers nothing new and certainly nothing listenable. 2/5

Pinky: Lesser than Munni
Greater than Sheila

The soundtrack continues with the item number Pinky featuring Mamta Sharma and the Meet Bros. This song falls into the Sheila-Munni item number craze. It lacks anything special and almost sounds like a leftover nineties composition. The lyrics are tasteless. [The song picturized on the left] This Meet Bros Anjan Akit composition is a loser. 2/5

Chitrantan Bhatt composes another song in Zanjeer called Lamha Tera Mera. This romantic song by Wajhi Farooki and Palak Muchhal separates itself from the soundtrack with its lighthearted upbeat flavor. These two are a great duo and work so well together to create a special, uplifting song. 5/5

We have another Ankit Bros composition Kochey Pathan Ki Zubaan (Qawaali). It contains all the necessary elements of a qawaali and even features Sukhwinder Singh along with Shabaab Sabri and the Meet Bros. It sounds very similar to Agneepath remake's qawaali number, Shah Ka Rutba. However, it is a mediocre composition that had the potential to be so much more 3/5

Kaatilana is another item number from Zanjeer, but more retro sounding than the traditional Pinky. Shweta Pandit sings her heart out against the disco beats. This song is situtational could definitely danced at a critical part of the movie and compares to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai's Parda Hai Parda.  2.5/5

The Proper Way to Catch Criminals
Dance In  High Heeled Boots and Shorts

The third item number is Shakila Banoo exclusively features Shreya Ghoshal. Composer Anand Raj Anand knows how to bring in a unique flavor while blending old school with new school, and urban with rural. Ghoshal's voice is naughty enough to pull off this number. Shakila Banoo is high in spice, bringing in various instruments like the tabla and harmonium  and really distinguishes itself from the other two item numbers in Zanjeer. 4/5

Thankfully, there is only one remix in Zanjeer that is Kaatilana M.B.A Club Mix. The song is definitely better this time around due to the extra beat that the other version was lacking previously. Who knows what M.B.A stands for here? Hopefully not a degree.3/5

In the end, the Zanjeer soundtrack is mediocre. The plethora of item numbers overwhelms the soundtrack and lowers its quality as a whole.  The composers seem as if they weren't trying to produce anything special and they certainly didn't except for the two outliers below.

My Picks: Lamha Tera Mera, Shakila Banoo 

Check out my other reviews!
Shuddh Desi Romance: Music Review
Grand Masti: Music Review
BollywoodBegum

Madras Cafe: Music Review

Music Director: Shantanu Moitra

Starring: John Abraham & Nargis Fakri 

Since Madras Cafe is set in the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War of 1990, we expect the music to be serious in nature, but for it to have no heavy romantic element is shocking. The director, Shoojit Sircar, has some real intentions of making this a hard hitting movie, which is why half of  Madras Cafe' songs are instrumentals..

Papon begins Madras Cafe with the mellow number Sun Le Re. His raw vocals are perfect for the soundtrack and subtle enough for the background instrumentals. This song is highly spiritual in nature, and slightly Sufi-like, as Papon reaches out to god to listen to him.  3/5

Ajnabi is sung by Zeb, of Pakistani's famous woman duo Zeb and Haniya. Like the prior song, this one is fresh with fresh emotions, but a tad more mellow, almost like the unplugged version of a song. The flute like instrumentals are a pleasant surprise, along with Zeb's "Da Da Na Na". This song is very unique, and not like any other song made in recent times. Excellent.  5/5

Papon is featured yet again in Madras Cafe in the song Khud Se. With a steady piano menu, Papon's voice reflects off itself like a mirror, similar to a self-duet. Khud Se keeps with the theme of the other songs, but is a little more rich in melody. He hits high notes, as the melody climbs higher and higher. 3.5/5

Sun Le Re (Reprise) is another take on the previous version. The reprise is not at all as subtle as the first time. The instrumentals are hard rock, complete with drums and guitar, exactly the polar opposite of the original. The soundtrack needed something this gritty to bring it back to life. Better than the first version. 3.5/5

After these four, there comes a string of instrumentals. The first one is Madras Cafe Theme. Its a lingering doom instrumental. The sound of ominous danger creeps through at first, but towards the middle it gets a little faster, bringing in angry flute and violin instrumentals.

Conspiracy features the singer Monali Thakur, but she doesn't really sing. Her voice echoes in the background of this song that sounds similar to the theme before it.

Entry to Jafna follows with theme, staying constant with the stringent tones from Madras Cafe's other instrumentals for its minute duration.

The Title Theme, has the to be the best instrumental  in the soundtrack bearing the worst name. This one has the highest quality instrumentals and is actually listenable. Compared to the hostility the other instrumentals have, this one grows more tense as the song goes on, until the instrumentals sound as if they have been broken.

In the end, Madras Cafe is filled with just a little too many instrumental theme music, and doesn't shine enough light on the vocalists. This soundtrack doesn't boast too much, but its good songs are of the highest quality.

My Picks: Ajnabi, Khud Se, Sun Le Re (Reprise)

What do you think?!

BollywoodBegum

Satyagraha: Music Review

Music Composers: Salim-Sulaiman, Aadesh Srivatava, Indian Ocean

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena, Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal

I honestly had no idea about Satyagraha till its music release. Its a pleasant surprise to see that this movie has such a huge star cast for a movie which such a meaningful .  I'm also pretty excited to know that this is  another creation  from the Salim-Sulaiman duo, as well as the other talented composers. Since this is a modern political thriller, my expectations are low about the quality of the music. Expect many many situtational numbers.

The first song on the soundtrack, is the title track, Satyagraha, a twist on the traditional song, "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram".  We can hear various stylistic approaches. At first we hear rock and then the song simmers down into a mellow melody. In the back is a touch of electronica, over the classical singing. Our artists, Rajiv Sundaersan, Shweta Pandit, and Shivam Pathak sound as if they are singing three different songs. This song is interesting approach to a traditional song , but it seems scattered in its initiation . 3.5/5

It seems these days all music composers are concerned with is producing some kind of techno/electronic music. This second song Aiyo Ji falls into this craze. Sharda Pandit gracefully croons this number all the way through, and Salim Merchant comes in at intervals to say "Aiyo Ji Aiyo Ji".  The beat overpowers this song, as well as Salim Mechant's parts. A calmer beat would have been a better alternative. 3/5

Salim-Sulaiman steps aside for a little bit, and lets composer Aadesh Srivatava take over for Raske Bhare Tore Naina. This song saves the Satyagraha with gifted singers, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Arpita. With the delicate vocals and restrained rhythm this song is exactly the beautiful refinement the other two songs were lacking. Complete with pianos and Indian instrumentals, Shafqat Amanat Ali's voice is truly exceptional.  With gorgeous classical intrusion from Arpita in unison with the instrumentals, this song is just perfect. 5/5

Janta Rocks, let's say unexpected, in Satyagraha. While the other songs are somber and serious in quality, this one is strangely upbeat. The Meet Brothers and Keerthi Sangathia team up for this odd number which stretches for an unbearable seven and half minutes. Weird. 2/5

Composed by Indian Ocean, Hum Bole The, is our rally song in our political thriller. Its hard rock, with one of the most interesting guitar arrangements I have heard this year in Bollywood. The singers Rahul Ram, Amit Kalam, and Himanshu sound justly angry and bitter. This song will go well with the political unrest that will be featured in Satyagraha, but it may tend to annoy the listener if listened without the backdrop of the movie. 3/5

Aiyo Ji (Remix) takes the whole techo beat further, and makes it little better. It doesn't really change the outcome of the mediocre quality of the song. Raske Bhare Tore Naina (House Mix) introduces in a techno element as well, taking away from the restrained quality of the first song. The moaning in the beginning doesn't help the case either. 2/5

In the end Satyagraha doesn't really find its footing off screen The music has the potential to work well along with the film, and it is not definitely up to the Salim-Sulaiman par anyone is used to.  The songs escape into the techno realm too often and don't leave a lasting impression.

My Picks: Rakse Bhare Tore Naina, Satyagraha

Follow me on Twitter @bollybegum for more updates

Sexuality In Bollywood: Evolution of Female Desire- Part Two [The Bhatts]

Sunny Leone and Randeep Hooda in Jism 2

Similar to the directors of The Dirty Picture, filmmakers like Pooja Bhatt, and her father, Mahesh Bhatt, have tackled a dark side of sexual desire, touching on the bodily needs of both hero and the heroine. Pooja and Mahesh Bhatt try to experiment with the heroine’s sexuality in Jism 2 [2012], with the introduction of the Indo-American pornographic star, Sunny Leone. In Jism 2, Leone seduces an assassin to retrieve important information for the police. The assassin and a police officer both play her love interests in this movie. Leone is able to believably express herself as a strong heroine with her own desires onscreen, because of her previous work in pornography.   Jism 2 creates aesthetic view of sexuality when new talent combines with the fresh, natural scenery of Sri Lanka. Stunning cinematography and careful boundaries to prevent intimate scenes from becoming crude set this film apart from other Bollywood movies related to this genre. Leone plays a character that is in complete jurisdiction of her own sexuality and is able to manipulate it in whatever way she wishes.  In Jism 2, Leone is able to illustrate the shift to a more mature sexual identity of Bollywood heroines.
      

Emraan Hashmi and Jacqueline Fernandez
Murder 2

Murder 2 [2011], another Bhatt production, has a more multifaceted view on sexuality. This film not only addresses escalated carnal cravings, but also focuses transvestites, and prostitution.. Even though these different sexual elements are explored in various ways, they end up intertwined with each other in the end. In Murder 2, Emraan Hashmi plays a former cop who is sent to investigate the disappearance of prostitutes in the area. Although Hashmi and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Fernanadez, engage in a few rounds of sexual intercourse in the film, he remains emotionally detached from her due to personal reasons. She, on the other hand, tries desperately to expand their physical bond with concepts of romantic love.  On the opposing side is Prashant Naryanan, a transvestite who brutally murders prostitutes. Driven by his uncontrollable physical desire, he decides to become a eunuch. The manner which Murder 2 presents sexuality on three different platforms is an unusual, but daring feat for a director. There is a thoughtful depiction of human trafficking, and an attempt to realistically portray the emotional and carnal needs of men and women in contemporary relationships. However, the sexuality of the transvestites is not as tastefully explored as others.  Narayanan is portrayed as a psychotic killer who has deviated from accepted social norms. Meanwhile, his transvestite friend’s character is illustrated as crooked and overly dramatic.


Check Out These Articles From Sexuality in Bollywood Series:
Sexuality in Bollywood: Evolution of Female Desire Part 1
Sexuality In Bollywood: Return of the Vamps

BollywoodBegum

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