http://desicritics.org/ Superior South Asian bloggers on Culture, Media, Politics, Sport, Business, and Technology. en Copyright 2006 by the authors Wed, 7 Jun 2006 15:50:50 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss BC custom software http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-12840 'Yours Emotionally' was shot mostly in Rajpipla, Gujarat. 12840@desicritics.org Wed, 7 Jun 2006 15:50:50 EDT http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-12802 The film had enough emotions for me - the boyfriend couldn't stop crying. A bit kitchy for me at times but the storyline was good. Where was it shot? 12802@desicritics.org Wed, 7 Jun 2006 10:23:48 EDT http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-704 Dear Nitin, Firstly, I beleive a film can only 'mirror reality', if it attempts to offer solutions, it would be presumptious and vacuous. The solutions need to emerge from the community, that too from the grass-root levels. I am not denying that things are changing in India for gay men, but realities in small towns are different - pressures of marriage can hardly be resisted, excepting by the very rare few and opportunities for fleeting moments of same-sex pleasures are grabbed with no inhibitions, albeit within the closet. There is not much space and time for refineness of dating, courting and seducing. I am sure you are aware of these ground realities. Though the film is yet to screen widely, the viewpoints emerging are really surprising. I am in fact quite astounded by the polarity of reactions to my film - for eg, your rather harsh criticism is indeed in stark contrast to some of the other feedback I am receiving - "I felt going through many emotional strands: I was touched, entertained, happy, confused, misplaced, and sincerely laughing about the vicissitudes of the characters and their lives and self-discoveries. It is the India that I know and you have captured her spirit." and... "I felt swept along by the sheer beauty of it all. It really captured India to me with all its diverse life styles and colours and I really felt how drab the old home town looked in comparison! It was daring, inventive, surprising, moving and exhilarating.". These comments were by a British and Italian gay couple who have bene living in India for the past couple of years. I would also like to post here a feedback from Manvendra Singh, CEO Lakshya Trust (India), a grass-root MSM organization working with gay/bisexual men in smaller towns - "Homosexuality though considered a social stigma in India, but in smaller towns gays don't feel shy in practicing it even after being forced into marriage to a girl. They will continue to lead a 'double role' in their life. In quite a few marriages, the female partner knows that her husband is gay, but still she won't mind if her husband sleeps with another man, but will mind if he sleeps with another woman. This has been found out in one of the studies undertaken by Lakshya specially in rural Gujarat. " These observations are just a couple of ones which I thought would indicate the diverse reactions to the film. For me, the film would truly be a success if it can act as a catalyst for debate and positive discussions around issues of sexulaity and identity both in India and around the world. For that of course the film has to be reached widely across with community and diaspora support & advocacy. I am grateful to every viewpoint (both positive and negative) as it adds to my learning curve and I hope to address some of your concerns in my future films. Yours Emotionally (without a '!' ) Sridhar Rangayan Director 704@desicritics.org Thu, 2 Feb 2006 05:41:50 EST http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-448 dkaps, sure love can be 'boxed' no pre-marital sex, no post-marital sex (you know..don't hold hands in front of your elders as it goes against one's sanskriti), no love marriages while we are at it, no inter- caste marriages, no inter-state marriages, no wife love before parent love...no ...no..no Our conservatives believe in Traditions and parental subjugation before love. So, yes it can and is 'boxed' ;) 448@desicritics.org Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:45:11 EST http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-443 The conservatives try and "trap" love!! As if Love should/can be "Boxed"! Dkaps. Drishtikone.com 443@desicritics.org Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:29:01 EST http://desicritics.org/2006/01/30/010510.php#comment-435 As usual, a fantastic review. What most heterosexuals fail to understand that apart different sexual preferences gays and straights are the same. 435@desicritics.org Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:53:20 EST