8th June 2023, Mumbai: Nivedita Basu, the VP Content and Business Alliance at Atrangii TV and OTT, acknowledges that while India has made progress in raising awareness about the LGBTQ community, there is still a long way to go. She emphasizes the role of movies and web series in fostering acceptance and combating resistance.
Basu notes that despite increased acceptance, there is still significant resistance, even among highly educated individuals who hold homophobic views. However, she acknowledges the positive impact of the media, especially movies and web series, in promoting acceptance and educating audiences about gay rights. These productions have played a crucial role in influencing perceptions and generating awareness.
Understanding the rights of the LGBTQ community requires significant strides, according to Basu. She recognizes that societal change is a complex process, and India, like many other areas, has its own set of challenges. While acknowledging the global shift towards acceptance, she stresses the need for India to become more liberal and non-interfering, granting individuals the rights to marriage, relationships, and parenthood. Basu believes that providing LGBTQ individuals with the opportunity to lead normal lives will contribute to their happiness and well-being.
Basu expresses concern about the difficulties faced by LGBTQ individuals, including the lack of support and the psychological toll it takes. She emphasizes the importance of offering empathy and understanding, as many individuals within the community face extreme stress and even contemplate suicide. Basu finds it disheartening that instead of reaching out and supporting their friends, some people choose to interfere and impose moral judgments. She questions the need for such interference, as it does not affect one’s own life but has the potential to bring happiness to someone else’s.
Looking towards the future, Basu believes that change will come from the younger generation. As India is a young country demographically, she expects that as the youth become more accepting, there will be a significant shift in societal attitudes. Basu envisions a time, perhaps in the next decade, when a substantial portion of the population will embrace and accept the LGBTQ community rather than resist, as is often the case today.