The Supreme Court of India had passed a historic verdict when it abolished the controversial law — Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that decriminalised same sex relationships, in 2018. The fight for acceptance has not been easy for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community. Digital platform Zee5 aims to bring out this struggle through their original film 377 Ab Normal.
Directed by Faruk Kabir, the film has Maanvi Gagroo, Tanvi Azmi, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra and Shashank Arora in the leading cast.
Apart from their personal battles, the film will cover the legal fight put up the LGBTQ community and society to strike down the draconian law.
Mishra plays an advocate who is fighting to strike down Section 377, while Gagroo and Arora play gay characters. Ayyub’s character is a cop. Azmi plays mother to Gagroo’s character. Gagroo, Arora and other gay characters in the film decide to fight against the Delhi high court’s order to criminalise gay sex. The LGBTQ community, liberals and media all stood in one voice to protect the rights of this community and strike down the law.
The film is a fictionalised version of the real events that took place before the Supreme Court passed the historical judgement in 2018. The fight is not for their rights, but also to expose the callous attitude of society.
Rainbow colours flow through the trailer. While the film covers an important issue, the recently released trailer doesn’t hold much promise. The rapid action and over-the-top background score gives it a melodramatic vibe. Of the cast, Mishra and Ayyub have a commanding presence.
Zee5 viewers will hope that there is more to 377 Ab Normal than the events already seen unfolding on news channels before.
377 Ab Normal will begin streaming on 19 March.
Watch the trailer below: