EXCLUSIVE: Swara Bhasker on LGBTQ+ representation in films: Need people from the community behind cameras

Swara Bhasker has always been someone to raise her voice for things she believes in. She recently featured in a short film titled Dobara Alvida. In a candid chat, Swara opened up on her love for cinema and films. She also responded to the ‘B’ grade comment by Kangana Ranaut and said that she doesn’t pay heed to trolls but also doesn’t believe in getting bullied by faceless people on social media. Swara also shared how minority and LGBTQ community representation in films can be better if we have the community work behind the camera as well.

Swara Bhasker and Divya Dutta’s tender love story, Sheer Qorma premiered at the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival recently. When asked if she sees a change in the way the LGBTQ community is represented in Indian cinema, Swara said, “I feel until you don’t have people from marginalized communities or communities that have been underrepresented or misrepresented, it could be women, LGBTQ+, Dalits, South Indians, Northeast, Kashmiris, until you don’t have these people behind the camera, what is in front of the camera won’t change. Look at the difference between a film like Fire, and say the other films made on lesbianism. You can see the difference because males have traditionally even same-sex love stories basically to consume soft-porn for themselves. But, because Faraz is from within the community, I think he’s only telling his own story,” Swara said.

 

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Swara also mentioned that she feels true artistic liberty can only come from a place where there is no fear and we, in our country, are yet to reach there. The actress also spoke about not playing it safe and taking the best from all the offers that come her way.

Also Read: Swara Bhasker on Kangana Ranaut’s ‘B’ grade comment, labels, LGBTQ representation

Bhavna Agarwal

Assistant Editor at Bollywood Bubble. An ambivert who is currently high on K-dramas and K-Pop. A forever Bollywood fan, who continues to gush over solid stories and characters. Hit me up for a fine conversation over chai.

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