`Dostana` has a subtle message on homosexuality: Karan Johar

Mumbai, Nov 16: Filmmaker Karan Johar says his "Dostana" is as brave a film as "Brokeback Mountain" and that he has moved beyond the "bubblegum cinema" tag. He stresses that the Abhishek-Bachchan-John Abraham starrer, despite being a comedy, puts out a "subtle message on homosexuality"."I`m asked if our actors can do `Brokeback Mountain`. Well, Abhishek and John have done `Dostana`. It`s an equally brave film," Karan said in an interview. He admits that it was courageous of Abhishek and John to sign up for the gay comedy by director Tarun Mansukhani. "It`s very brave of Abhishek and John to put them into this gay situation and not be embarrassed or be self-conscious. They`ve given 300 percent of themselves without flinching," Karan said. Though an out-and-out comedy, the producers say the film "isn`t just about gay jokes". "It definitely puts out a subtle message on homosexuality." And what about John`s skin show? "He`s got the body, why not flaunt it? If you`ve a beautiful house don`t you invite guests to see it? If you`ve made a film you`re proud of, don`t you want audiences to watch it? If John has a great body why not show it?" Excerpts from the interview to IANS: Q: From loving the family to loving your friend...quite a leap, huh? Karan: At the end of it, it`s all about loving. Whom you love and how is a personal choice. You`ve a right to choose whom you love. "Dostana" addresses itself in a comic way to the individual`s right to choose. And I fully believe in that. Q: Your friends and family watched the film earlier this week. Their reactions? Karan: Trial shows are superb indications of what`s to come. Much preferable than premieres which I never have. I called the people I love. Some loved "Dostana", others hated it. I take neither praise nor criticism to heart. Q: What did your mom think of "Dostana" and its gay jokes? Karan: My mom loved it. Because she loves me and my director Tarun Mansukhani. Also because she was amused. She`s a happy person. And she likes happy films. "Dostana" is a happy film...Happy and gay. Q: Are you delighted by the way people have taken to Abhishek and John`s gay jokes? Karan: I`ve to say this. It`s very brave of Abhishek and John to put themselves into this gay situation and not be embarrassed or be self-conscious. They`ve given 300 percent of themselves without flinching. More power in the industry to this kind of positive thinking. More than myself I`m delighted for my director Tarun Mansukhani. He has been with us from the start. He`s a funny guy. And the film isn`t just about gay jokes. It definitely puts out a subtle message on homosexuality. Q: Which is? Karan: I think the whole question of gay acceptance is prevalent all over the world. It`s just a myth that in the West people accept homosexuality more readily than they do here. I feel the gay community should be given the respect it deserves. "Dostana" is a funny though not offensive take on the issue. Nowhere does the film offend people of any sexual orientation. We`ve treated the theme with great dignity. We`ve taken homosexuality to an amusing level, but not at the cost dignity. I do believe audiences are far more evolved than we give them credit for. Q: Do you think you can swing it? Karan: I`m asked if our actors can do "Brokeback Mountain". Well, Abhishek and John have done "Dostana". It`s an equally brave film. Q: Did you ever feel it could backfire? Karan: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I didn`t just want to push the envelope I wanted to tear it. Even my "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" pushed the envelope. I made a Rs.50 crore (Rs.500 million) film on infidelity. Now I`ve made a Rs.50 crore film with homosexual overtones. Anyone who calls me a bubblegum filmmaker now needs a serious reality check. Q: What about John`s skin show? Karan: It goes with the film`s mood. Any exposure out of context is vulgar. If you saw "Dhoom 2", everyone wore minimalist clothes because they were in Rio. My characters in "Dostana" are in Miami. It`s the partying capital of the world. My trio exudes a sex appeal in their body exposure. I think Priyanka and John are highly aesthetic in their beachwear. Q: John has exposed more skin than any other leading man. Karan: He`s got the body, why not flaunt it? If you`ve a beautiful house don`t you invite guests to see it? If you`ve made a film you`re proud of, don`t you want audiences to watch it? If John has a great body why not show it? Q: You`ve proved your power as a filmmaker by marketing "Dostana" so well. Karan: There`s no such thing as a powerful filmmaker. There`s only a powerful film. All of us filmmakers are sailing in the same boat. I`d like to say Tarun Mansukhani is the real star of "Dostana". IANS