Now, a film to focus on gay law verdict

Achena Bondhu not just delves into homosexuality but will have people from the LGBT community in the cast
Movies can well be a medium of protest. Soon after Supreme Court���s verdict that recriminalized homosexuality or unnatural sex between two consenting adults, many filmmakers had pointed out that it would encourage them to delve into the subject with renewed vigour.And they were right. A Bengali film ��� Achena Bondhu ��� is not only dealing with homosexuality, but will have people from the LGBT community featuring in it.
Ushashie Chakraborty, the film���s lead, tells us, ���I play an LGBT activist. Priyam is my reel husband, who is shown having a relationship with a younger man. The film marks a protest against SC���s verdict upholding Article 377 of IPC.��� Tista Das (born Sushanto Das), who underwent a sex change operation and has been doing her best to break the stereotypes associated with the transsexual community, is also a part of the film. No alien to movies, she will be seen playing a counsellor. ���My character counsels Priyam on his confused sexual behaviour. Priyam, an upcoming director, will be making a film within this film. With financers backing out, I���ll helm the production,��� says Tista.
About the SC verdict, she says, ���Section 377, which criminalizes intercourse ���against the order of nature���, is a reflection of outdated sodomy laws in the UK. While the intention with which the laws were made was right, the wrongful interpretation of them can cause the LGBT community a lot of harm. Also, who decides what is ���against the order of nature���?���
Hrisikesh Mondol, who conceived the film in early 2010, even before Arekti Premer Golpo and Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish had come out, says he had to face many roadblocks before letting his camera roll. ���Funding was a major problem. But now, finally, we are set. The movie conveys one message ��� neither is homosexuality against the order of nature nor is it unconstitutional. What happens between two consenting adults behind closed doors, is no one���s business but their own,��� he says. The movie, conceptuated by Prasanta Debnath, will go on the floors later this month.