“I will live alone all my life*”, a boy called Gujan would often think so, during his childhood and the sensitive years of puberty. Those who have watched the latest release, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, would have noticed, that Sweety played by Sonam K Ahuja, too writes the same line in her diary.
This is no coincidence.
To me, this one line describes the inspiring journey of Gunjan. A boy born in Patiala would often be confused about his feminine mannerism and choices. As the years went by, he became clearer that his body and soul doesn’t match. He was put in the wrong body and was meant to be different. As the age of puberty struck, he wanted to set free of this jail called ‘a male body’. One day, suppressed soul took a plunge and left his house for good. This turned out to be a turning point for him and his family. He soon came out to his family, that he wants to think and act like a girl. The parents heard it and respected the sentiment. And some years later a decision, was taken, with all respect. A beautiful girl called Gazal Dhaliwal was born. She earned for herself the body she deserved.
Now back to Sonam’s LGBTQ character, Sweety. The film evinces the battle with herself, and the society – why is she made the way she is. Sweety has earned a lot of respect across all social medium platforms, for being real. And the reason is that Sweety is Gazal’s brainchild. Ghazal is the scriptwriter of that film. And Sweety is so relatable because she is rather an emotion Gazal would have lived through her own childhood.
Quivering lips. Dainty touches. A big fat wedding in Delhi. And then love at first sight. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, pans across all aspects of quintessential Bollywood love story, in its 2h01 min runtime. But there cannot be a true love story without any siyappa. As Sonam says while confessing her orientation to Rajkumar Rao, “sabka dimag ek track par hi kyun chalta hain.”
Yes! This indeed that brave film, which brings forth the love story of a homosexual couple, and that too as a mainstream film. The film has struck a chord amongst its audience. And Twitter seems to have adopted #ELKDTAL with all love and praise.
My homophobic parents who hate me for being gay asked me to watch Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga with them tomorrow. Can’t wait to see their reaction when the main character in a major Bollywood film ends up being lesbian halfway through.
Words cannot express how excited I am for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. Like I just feel like crying and laughing-
ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga has turned from the most unexpected romance of the year to the most expected romance of the year, i’m shaking to watch it
#EkLadkiKoDekhaTohAisaLaga I came out to my mom a year ago & today I could see her concern regarding my childhood & she actually felt sorry for not understanding my issues which I dealt with as a child. Thankyou for the brilliant depiction @gazalstune @sonamakapoor @elkdtalfilm
Gazal’s story of finding her true identity is the story of all grit and passion, the kind I salute at thePeopleBazaar.
Love and respect!!