Family disapproval, censorship and now death threats, 'Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun' is in hot water.
This week actor Kapil Sharma's residence on Dr Ambedkar Road in Khar, Mumbai, was laid siege by BJP workers demanding a pre-release ban on his film 'Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun'.
Describing the ordeal, the actor says, "It was major tension in my house. No one was allowed in or out of our compound. A mob of BJP workers from their youth wing came down to my building protesting against my film's release." The cops swooped down on the protesters.
Says Kapil, "They arrested a few of them, but I am worried where all these protests are leading to. I hope my film releases." Kapil has explicit kissing and gay love-making scenes in the movie. "It was very difficult. Initially touching another guy was very awkward. In fact after the kiss, my co-star Yuvraaj and I couldn't look at one another for hours." Even though the cops had the situation at Kapil's residence under control, the actor says, "I need security until my film is released."
While gay activists, like Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil and Ashok Row Kavi have given the film a thumbs up, some others are not so approving of director Sanjay Sharma's liberal look at homosexual love.
While, model Yuvraaj Parasher who plays Kapil's gay lover has been ostracised and disowned by his family, the film's cast members like Zeenat Aman, Helen and Kabir Bedi too seem to have distanced themselves from the project.
Kapil, who's also the director's brother, explains, "Zeenatji has taken part in a couple of media events. She's a bit media shy." However, Kapil refrains from commenting on the absence of the other cast members during the film's publicity.
Admitting the fact that he has received death threats, Kapil says. "I got three threats through the mail. One in Hindi and two in English warning us against releasing the film. We've also filed a police complaint. This kind of intolerance is creating unnecessary tension for us."
The ordeal for the film's director and cast does not end here. The censors too have not been kind either. Says Kapil bitterly, "The Censor Board has cut 50% of the kissing and love-making scenes between me and my screen-partner. They've also cut the shots of back nudity. Just a glimpse of the butt is there. We have shot two versions of the film in English and Hindi."
Despite the queer odds, Kapil Sharma remains proud of the film. "Ours is the first gay love story that doesn't just talk about homosexuality. We've shown the couple making love like any routine couple. Filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra who says he's hardcore straight couldn't take his eyes off the couple on screen. Prince Manvendra and Ashok Row Kavi loved the film. You'll be surprised to know how many women have loved it."
Whether the audience which still squirms at same-sex references loves the film as much is debatable.
This week actor Kapil Sharma's residence on Dr Ambedkar Road in Khar, Mumbai, was laid siege by BJP workers demanding a pre-release ban on his film 'Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun'.
Describing the ordeal, the actor says, "It was major tension in my house. No one was allowed in or out of our compound. A mob of BJP workers from their youth wing came down to my building protesting against my film's release." The cops swooped down on the protesters.
Says Kapil, "They arrested a few of them, but I am worried where all these protests are leading to. I hope my film releases." Kapil has explicit kissing and gay love-making scenes in the movie. "It was very difficult. Initially touching another guy was very awkward. In fact after the kiss, my co-star Yuvraaj and I couldn't look at one another for hours." Even though the cops had the situation at Kapil's residence under control, the actor says, "I need security until my film is released."
While gay activists, like Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil and Ashok Row Kavi have given the film a thumbs up, some others are not so approving of director Sanjay Sharma's liberal look at homosexual love.
While, model Yuvraaj Parasher who plays Kapil's gay lover has been ostracised and disowned by his family, the film's cast members like Zeenat Aman, Helen and Kabir Bedi too seem to have distanced themselves from the project.
Kapil, who's also the director's brother, explains, "Zeenatji has taken part in a couple of media events. She's a bit media shy." However, Kapil refrains from commenting on the absence of the other cast members during the film's publicity.
Admitting the fact that he has received death threats, Kapil says. "I got three threats through the mail. One in Hindi and two in English warning us against releasing the film. We've also filed a police complaint. This kind of intolerance is creating unnecessary tension for us."
The ordeal for the film's director and cast does not end here. The censors too have not been kind either. Says Kapil bitterly, "The Censor Board has cut 50% of the kissing and love-making scenes between me and my screen-partner. They've also cut the shots of back nudity. Just a glimpse of the butt is there. We have shot two versions of the film in English and Hindi."
Despite the queer odds, Kapil Sharma remains proud of the film. "Ours is the first gay love story that doesn't just talk about homosexuality. We've shown the couple making love like any routine couple. Filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra who says he's hardcore straight couldn't take his eyes off the couple on screen. Prince Manvendra and Ashok Row Kavi loved the film. You'll be surprised to know how many women have loved it."
Whether the audience which still squirms at same-sex references loves the film as much is debatable.
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