Okay, maybe you’ve never heard of Manish Paul and Sikander Kher. They’re not exactly household names in the U.S. … but maybe they should be.
At a press junket for an upcoming movie, a reporter asked them if they’d consider doing a movie about homosexuality. They were a little startled, but then someone egged them on: “why don’t you guys just kiss?”
And so they did. Kind of? It seemed like it might’ve been a stagey hand-blocking kiss that was not totally real? Hard to tell.
WATCH: Actors Manish Paul &Sikander Kher kiss each other when asked if they would like to do a film on homosexualityhttps://t.co/lNRiiFilsb
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2016
But at least they went for it to the extent that they did. So, that went better than it could have. Maybe they just need a little more kissing practice?
How about we take this to the next level?
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The film they’re promoting, BTW, is called Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive, and it’s a comedy about whether or not Osama Bin Laden was really killed. So that should be a laugh riot.
Some Bollywood actors have complained about a culture of predatory casting — Ranveer Singh recently told a story about a director who sought sexual favors in exchange for roles. So there may be some unpleasant cultural baggage attached to homosexuality in the country’s filmmaking community (not that this country is much better).
But there’s also progress being made. Onir, a prominent director, praised a recent court ruling that ended the criminalization of homosexuality. “This law should have been scrapped the day the Britishers left India,” he said. “So hopefully, the 2009 verdict of the Delhi Court, that decriminalized gay sex among consenting adults, will be back soon.”
Walter Cubos
Preejamol Florence
Yo cousins are gay Preej
Stephen Meeks
Yeah, a bit of slight-of-hand there, but that’s okay. Still makes a good statement.
Billy Budd
I have an indian girl-friend and she is totally cool and GLBT friendly. She is a true mogul princess.
.
I wish all male actors would perform gay kisses.
Captain Obvious
I don’t understand why this stuff is still such a big deal. You’d think it wouldn’t bother people anymore.
Glenn Hering
Kissing your own thumb proves nothing.
Kangol
The actor with that mustache is HOT. A nice almost-kiss (he did sort of block his lips with his hands) too.
But why was the third guy behind them, featured on the poster, dressed up like Osama bin Laden? Were they making a film or TV show about his life or something?
dwes09
@Captain Obvious: @Captain Obvious: Obviously, this was filmed in India. You’d think people (especially those who see themselves as so astute) would know that is not the United States.
In 2013 INDIA RE-CRTIMINALIZED HOMOSEXUALITY. so obviously it is a big deal there.Try to look beyond your nose every now and then or gaze at something other than your navel. Or perhaps change your screen name (maybe Captain Oblivious).
Adrian Ornelas
1. They’re kind of hot
2. Uhmm why was Osama bin laden there?
stranded
They’re both cute, especially the one with the mustache, he looks like Adrian Pasdar from Heroes
NoCagada
@Captain Obvious: Gee, your world must be small…and perfect.
Captain Obvious
@dwes09: That wasn’t at all the point or direction of my comment so maybe you’re the one who should get over himself.
I meant that people shouldn’t be so outraged or alarmed at two men kissing. That it’s really not a big deal and isn’t hurting anyone. People like you are the reason the world is so messed up with your knee-jerk reactions to everything taking everything negative off the bat without thinking first.
Narcissistic asshole.
@NoCagada: See my other reply, right back at you. You people love complaining and even purposely misconstruing comments just to kick something off. Get a life already. The reply button can be used for something other than starting crap with other commenters.
Sluggo2007
I would love to see them fellate eath other.
SFHandyman
There was no kissing of any kind in Bollywood films until relatively recently. It was banned up until the mid 90’s. They are still skittish about kissing in films. French kissing is still banned I believe.
It is a cliché that they will build build build up to a kiss then something will explode, or vendor will walk by with something huge that blocks the kiss, or they will just move somewhere else in time, or the location suddenly changes. Anything to avoid showing the actual contact. It is really hilarious. Watch Bollywood films and marvel at the ways they can imply a kiss without really showing it.
The fact that these two even pretended to kiss is pretty big.
Goforit
@Kangol: @Adrian Ornelas: Once again folks, it is usually best to read the article before commenting.
Kangol
@Goforit: I usually do but skipped right from the image of the two hot guys to the video! LOL
Goforit
@Kangol: Say 2 hail Mary’s and gratify yourself to their image. All is forgiven my son.
pastafazool
I am reading this completely differently. I see 2 guys mocking gays like school children. “Look, we are going to kiss”, and he kisses his hand. No gay-friendlies here.
Paco
@pastafazool: That’s what I see too. But you know… Straight worship or something I guess.
pastafazool
the ladies do profess too much, methinks.
Sluggo2007
Too bad it stopped with a kiss.
Glücklich
@Billy Budd:
You mean Mughal.
@Sluggo2007:
Uh-huh. There’s an Indian guy in my office (lots of Indians in finance) who is so freakin’ hot. Athletic, barrel-chested with looong lashes and a twisted sense of humor. Gorgeous. His wife’s a lucky woman.