Bollywood Star Imran Khan Wants to be a Gay Icon

In another sign of how much things are changing in India when it comes to gay issues, rising Bollywood star Imran Khan recently not only spoke out in favor of gay rights, but also is working to make himself a gay icon.

How exactly? AE Vikram reader explains that Khan's latest movie, I Hate Luv Storys, was recently screened for a gay audience even though it has no gay content?

Why? Khan and the movie's producers said it was because Khan was a gay icon, but I'm given to understand that other being very cute, Khan really didn't have much of a claim to gay icon status.

Before now that is. Those in attendance at the screening report that Khan appeared at the end of the movie, posed for pictures with his arms around his fans and not only showed his respect for the gay community, but stated publicly that he supports gay causes.

Khan gave a number of interviews where he didn't try to overstate his past support of the gay community (which apparently wasn't much), but specifically and publicly stated now "I have always believed in gay rights. I do not think there are gay or straight love stories. I think all love stories are beautiful because 'love' is that kind of an emotion that makes one feel always special." 

Vikram explains this is actually a significant step forward because in the past, Bollywood had used only sleazy gay angles to get publicity for a film, and that Khan's outreach, which was widely reported in the media, showed that Khan views being gay as completely normal, and that he is as happy to have gay fans as straight fans.

Says one gay Indian about Khan's attitude, "That completely relaxed reaction is really the one we want for the future, and hopefully Imran has shown the way to other rising Bollywood stars." 

While those of us in North America, Australia, New Zealand or in Western Europe might be tempted to roll our eyes and view this as nothing but a publicity stunt, I think it's very important to keep in mind that Khan is apparently the first male Bollywood actor to to embrace India's gay community this way.

While he might be doing it in part for the publicity, it seems to me that the gay community stands to gain far more from his actions than Khan stands to gain. 

And while Khan has yet to actually play a gay role, this clip from the Filmfare Awards with Khan presenting, not only has a nice homoerotic moment, but shows that Hollywood award ceremonies don't have a monopoly on awkward, painfully unfunny comic bits.