Meghdhanushya — The Colour of Life

Meghdhanushya — The Colour of Life (2013) is the first movie to positively feature the gay community in Indian Gujarati cinema.[2][3][4] It is directed by K. R. Devmani and produced by Mahendra Bhai Patel, with narration by Manvendra Singh Gohil and Sylvester Merchant.[5][6]

"The Colour of Life" redirects here. For other works of that title, see Colour of Life.

Meghdhanushya — The Colour of Life
Directed byK. R. Devmani
Produced byMahendrabhai patel
Release date
  • 25 April 2013 (2013-04-25) (Gadhinagar)
[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati

This film portrays how lesbians and gay men have a part in society, and shows their situations and conditions they experience.[7] Gohil notes that even five years ago the film would have been received negatively, but now has received an "A" ("Adults Only") rating from the Censor Board of India.[8]

Because of the subject matter the filmmaker has had to seek legal relief to get the same tax incentives of other films.[9] They also faced censorship issues.[10]

Plot

In the film, three stages of life have been shown: childhood, youth, and adulthood.[11] The protagonist is Tanmay, a gay man who during childhood adopts feminine behaviours, concerning his parents. They consult a doctor, and apply parental and social pressure to modify their son. During his youth, he is pressured to marry, and derided by his fellow college students as "special". Eventually, he is forced to leave his home.

The film then turns to later in his life, when Tanmay and Aniket adopt a child together, naming him "Shlok". The boy grows to become a successful businessman, but his gay parents keep their distance from him to avoid burdening him with social stigma. Shlok meets a woman, Disha, whom he wishes to marry, but his parents' homosexuality becomes an impediment.

The film accordingly shows the social obstacles against gay people in Indian society, in a format divided into three separate vignettes.

Promotion

Mallika Sarabhai and Onir are also supporting this film for awareness.[12][13][14]

Stylistics

Instead of songs, Meghdhanushya film uses poetry to depict feelings in movie. Its poems are written by Milan Devmani and voiced-over by RJ Dhvanit (Radio Mirchi) and RJ Devki (Red FM).[15]

References
  1. First Gujarati film on gay issues released in India. Gay Star News, 26 April 2013
  2. Ahmedabad doctors 'gay' on creating a Gujarati film - www.divyabhaskar.co.in
  3. meghdhanushya film goes in high court - www.divyabhaskar.co.in
  5. Production Ramps Up on Gay Indian Film | Advocate.com
  6. Mallika Sarabhai, Onir and Manvendra Singh Gohil during a press meet for movie on homosexuality 'Meghdhanushya' in Ahmedabad
  7. Ahmedabad, 22 March 2012 : readwhere
  8. First Gujarati film on gays released. Deccan Herald, 25 April 2013
  9. No tax relief for Gujarati film on gays? - Times Of India
  10. First Gujarati gay film stalled, thanks to government diktat
  11. First Gujarati film on gays released
  12. "Press Meet: 'Meghdhanushya'". timescity.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  13. "First Gujarati homosexuals releases". World News. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  14. "Onir,Mallika Sarabhai,Manvendra Singh Gohil". dnasyndication.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  15. http://www.meghdhanushyathefilm.com. "Meghdhanushya | The Colour of Life". www.meghdhanushyathefilm.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
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