The first openly gay character in Bollywood is considered to be Pinku, played by Anupam Kher in the 1991 film "Mast Kalandar".
Pinku is a flamboyant and effeminate character who is often the target of jokes and ridicule. However, he is also shown to be kind and compassionate, and he ultimately finds love and acceptance.
While Pinku's portrayal is considered to be stereotypical and offensive by some, he was nevertheless a groundbreaking character for his time. He helped to open up a dialogue about homosexuality in India, and he paved the way for more nuanced and realistic portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters in Bollywood films.
Pinku, portrayed by the versatile actor Anupam Kher, made his debut in the 1991 Bollywood action-comedy film "Mast Kalandar." Directed by Rahul Rawail and written by Salim Khan, the film starred an ensemble cast including Dharmendra, Dimple Kapadia, Prem Chopra, Shakti Kapoor, and Amrish Puri.
Pinku, the son of the villainous Raja Sahib (Amrish Puri), is an openly gay man who is flamboyant, effeminate, and unapologetic about his sexuality. He is often the target of ridicule and mockery from the other characters, particularly the macho hero Shankar (Dharmendra). Despite the prejudice he faces, Pinku remains unapologetically himself and refuses to conform to societal expectations of masculinity.
Pinku's character is significant for several reasons. Firstly, his open portrayal of homosexuality was groundbreaking for Bollywood at the time. While there had been hints of homosexuality in earlier films, Pinku was the first character to be explicitly identified as gay. This was a bold move in a society where homosexuality was still considered taboo and often criminalized.
Secondly, Pinku's character challenged traditional representations of masculinity. His flamboyant style and mannerisms were a stark contrast to the hyper-masculine heroes that typically dominated Bollywood films. This challenged the notion that masculinity could only be expressed in one way and opened up space for more diverse portrayals of men on screen.
However, Pinku's portrayal has also been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes about gay men. His effeminate mannerisms and flamboyant style reinforced the idea that gay men were not "real men." Additionally, the film's treatment of Pinku's character was often insensitive and exploitative.
Despite his flaws, Pinku's character remains an important milestone in the representation of LGBTQ+ people in Bollywood. He was a groundbreaking figure who helped to open up a dialogue about homosexuality in India and paved the way for more nuanced and realistic portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters in Bollywood films.