The magazine Bombay Dost was launched in 1990 by Ashok Row Kavi alongside Suhail Abbasi and Sridhar Rangayan, and it was India’s first registered LGBTQ magazine. At that time, when it was being published, homosexuality was seen as a crime and shameful in the eyes of society. Nobody could ever dare to talk openly about it. It was totally ignored if anybody tried to talk about homosexuality. But the magazine was the first to break the stigma, and people gradually gathered courage to break the silence. Once sold secretly in colored covers through the local shops, at that time it was taboo to buy or read Bombay Dost openly in the beginning.
Every week, it received around 3,000 letters through the popular “Khush Khat” column. It became popular and was read not only in India but also in Pakistan and other Central Asian countries, where many people wanted copies of the magazine. People wanted to share their thoughts but could not out of fear and judgement.
Akshay Kumar is one of the most versatile actors in Bollywood. He is successful, talented and has performed various roles in numerous shows, including reality shows. He managed everything perfectly.
At a time when other famous actors avoided projects which could ruin their public image, Akshay Kumar did not let that burden affect him; he took a different approach and appeared in Bombay Dost in the year 1995. It was an unusual photoshoot, where he was standing in the water, wearing a nose ring, which was literally a bold move, especially at that time.
In an interview, Akshay Kumar spoke openly about sexuality; he talked about his time in Thailand, where he grew up and had worked before joining the film industry. He said that it helped him understand different cultures, lifestyles and ways of thinking. So it was quite easy for him to take the role, and thus, at a time when the topic was hardly discussed in India, he was ready to talk about it openly.
Then, after many years, the photos again reappeared on Reddit and created new interest among the fans and social media users. Also, many people admired Akshay Kumar’s different look in the photos, appreciated his performance and the bold step he took. Some fans also said it was one of his best and most memorable photoshoots.
Akshay Kumar was always open to new roles and different stories, which is actually one of the best characteristics of an actor, and he proved that. He did not stick to traditional action hero roles; he played the unique and challenging parts of any project. In 2016, he played a gay character in the Dishoom movie, and in 2020, a transgender role in the movie Laxmii. Both were highly appreciated by the audience.
Bombay Dost was more than just a magazine. It taught practical advice, spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, and also, in a simple way, discussed Section 377 so that everyone could understand. It helped the LGBTQ community; after that, Bombay Dost also featured actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Kalki Koechlin and other renowned actors.
But later the magazine faced some issues due to financial difficulties; Bombay Dost suddenly stopped publishing in 2002, and after around 7-8 years, it made a comeback in 2009 with an updated version. In this updated version, Bombay Dost expressed its opinions and covered sensitive topics more openly, boldly and without any hesitation. By then, the magazine was strongly linked to a Trust named Humsafar Trust, which is purely an LGBTQ organisation. Till today, Bombay Dost is remembered as the magazine that played a significant role in supporting the LGBTQ community.
Bombay Dost featured several celebrities who helped bring attention to LGBTQ issues when India really needed their support. Actor Imran Khan was one of them, whose contribution is really appreciated, and because he supported LGBTQ rights, many people called him a gay icon.
The Humsafar Trust is a non-profit organisation and was founded by the Bombay Dost team members. Today, it works in around 29 cities of India; their main motive is the advancement of health, wellbeing and human rights of LGBTQ communities. They also offered one-on-one counselling sessions to understand the problems, misunderstandings and stereotypes often faced by LGBTQ people.
In the upcoming days, common people gradually started open discussions around sexuality, and the fear or hesitation slowly disappeared. They started normalising the natural things of life, and support for same sex relationships gradually increased.
Though LGBTQ issues were still not fully accepted by all, till now many do not agree with it, but society has become a little more supportive. It is not a small thing; years of old conceptions of people need more time to be accepted by others. When Bombay Dost returned, it attracted both old readers and new people towards it; one of the main reasons for its success was its cover pages featuring popular actors and celebrities, which definitely helped Bombay Dost reach more people.
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