BomGay

One afternoon, in 1996, R. Raj Rao called Riyad Vinci Wadia and asked if he could come around to show him some poems he had recently written. Raj had been invited to attend the writing program and workshop at Iowa State University and was keen that Riyad should film him with a video camera to have some visual material reading some of his poems. And this led to the making of the very first Indian Gay Film.

Approximately stretched for 12 minute of length, this short film depicts the underground and twisted nature of the gay identity in urban India. Scripting verses as the screenplay well establishes the depth of imagery to show the Indian gay life of the 1990’s. Even though I found it difficult to comprehend the scenes at times; and since the movie has been banned in India, it was very difficult to get a good print of it.

The movie was made in a couple of days due to time limitations; whose effect is reflected in not-so-good cinematography and not-so-good direction. Considering the on-screen part, most of the cast had done a commendable work even though they occupy the screen just for few seconds or more. The most common faces recognized in Bomgay are Rahul Bose, Kushal Punjabi, Tarun Shahani, R Raj Rao and Farud Cambata.

After the release, for the next several months the film received reams of newsprint. It opened up an extensive discussion on homosexuality in India and it brought the “G” word into people’s homes. In all the press that the film received there was not one reaction that was negative or derogatory.

Overall, you can manage to take out 12 minutes sometime; but only if you get its print. The movie is banned; but still spending sometime on Google can help you to get a copy of poetic classic film.

(Written for Pink Pages)