On Sept. 6, the Indian Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Section 377, a colonial-era penal code that criminalized same-sex relations in the country and made them punishable by up to 10 years in prison, was unconstitutional and infringed upon the fundamental rights of Indians. With the ruling, India’s highest court had effectively decriminalized homosexuality in the country. The landmark decision was met with an outpouring of joy and enthusiasm from the most prominent figures in the Indian entertainment industry. Despite the celebrations, India’s film industry has had little time to adjust to the new legal environment. The Hollywood Reporter surveyed the mood amongst Indian filmmakers at the 20th Mumbai Film Festival and the prevailing consensus was that the change in the law would provide opportunities for more diverse storytelling but significant cultural and structural obstacles remain.
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