My sexual orientation shouldn’t come in the way of my work as an actor, says Palash Dutta

The ongoing

Pride Month

celebrations worldwide has seen members of the LGBTQIA+ community coming out of the closet in the city as well.

The recent being character actor-theatre artiste-casting coordinator

Palash Dutta

, who made his Bollywood debut in a supporting role in 'Mohabbatein' two decades ago. In an exclusive chat with Bombay Times, he declares that he is finally coming out this Pride Month.

“Yes, I am gay,” he tells us, adding, “I think I’ll be the first actor to come out in mainstream Bollywood as there are no openly gay actors here. I know it’s their personal choice, but if we don’t accept ourselves the way we are, then it’s difficult for people to treat us as equals.”

Palash admits to having gone through feelings of apprehension on coming out initially. He explains, “I felt that there’s still a line that I need to draw and not be as open about my sexual orientation, because it might hinder my prospects as an actor. But I also know what I am and that my work as a character artiste will speak for me and not what I do behind closed doors. That’s my prerogative and really not anyone else’s business. In fact, with awareness, education and acceptance, people are more accepting of our community now and don’t treat us like an abnormal person anymore.”

‘It was quite unnerving to live a dual life during my initial years in Bollywood’
Palash recalls that his journey in the film industry was tough initially as being gay was taboo in the 80s-90s. “It was quite unnerving for me to live a dual life during my early days in Bollywood. As an actor, I had to shield my desires and not let my sexual orientation come in the way of my career. Thankfully, I had a comfortable life and didn’t face major problems in the way I conducted myself,” shares the actor, who went on to work in films like 'Dhoom' and '

Grand Masti

' among others. He adds, “Over time, I made a name as a casting coordinator too, but I didn’t hobnob with the biggies. I stayed well within the wall I built between the industry folks and myself.”

Palash does feel that Bollywood as an industry has always been supportive and welcoming of the queer community, however, they have always been restricted to fashion designers, make-up artists, fashion choreographers, writers, etc. He also believes that actors, who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community, shouldn’t be boxed into a specific type of role. “They should be given an opportunity to play parts irrespective of their sexual orientation, because that’s their job as actors. In the West, there are so many mainstream LGBTQIA+ actors playing straight parts!” he elaborates.

‘With opportunities opening up on

OTT

, there is hope for the queer community in showbiz’
When it comes to reel representation, Palash feels that it’s time mainstream Indian cinema showcased the queer community realistically. While Bollywood has often depicted the LGBTQIA+ community in an over-the-top way, films like 'Aligarh', 'My Brother…

Nikhil

', 'Kapoor & Sons', 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' and 'Bombay Talkies', have changed the narrative to an extent.

He says, “Bollywood has often made queer characters look loud and caricaturish. Thankfully, with the advent of OTT platforms and access to international cinema and film festivals, the desi audience is getting exposed to LGBTQIA+ narrative and content that is real and believable; it’s prompting filmmakers to sit up and take notice and come up with some great films. But there’s still a long way to go for Indian audience to accept full-fledged gay narratives in mainstream Bollywood cinema.”

He adds, “In fact, in the last two years, multiple opportunities are springing up on OTT and other social media platforms. I have been offered some interesting roles, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the queer community in this industry.”