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Rediff.com  » Movies » Bollywood fumes at Ghulam Nabi's anti-gay remarks
This article was first published 12 years ago

Bollywood fumes at Ghulam Nabi's anti-gay remarks

Last updated on: July 5, 2011 15:02 IST

Image: Celina Jaitly
Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's statement on homosexuality has ruffled more than just a few feathers in Bollywood.

Celina Jaitly, who supports homosexuality, tweeted: 'I'm shocked 2 hear that R health minister wld make a statement abt homosexuality calling it a "disease " .. W.H.O. does not think so sir!! Dear honourable mr Health Minister the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of diseases in 1990.'

Music composer Vishal Dadlani called Ghulam Nabi Azad 'Ghulam Nabi Idiot' and tweeted: 'India's problems are reflected in the people we elect. Illiteracy, rampant corruption, delusion and misled religious fervour.'

Director Onir also slammed the Health Minister. 'Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad needs urgent counseling for his regressive statement. His "unnatural" stand is dangerous for healthy democracy. Its because of these regressive ppl the largest democracy in the world deprives the largest no of sexual minorities their democratic rights,' he updated.

Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar poked fun at him. 'If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in Queer to work. 'Hello, can't come in today, still Queer,' he wrote.

Actress Shahana Goswami said it is a factually incorrect statement: 'How can we have a health minister who says gay sex is a disease?? uneducated ministers of India. My take on gay sex is that it is a personal choice made by people that is no one else's business and affects nothing else they do! Just as no 1 thinks u're diseased to be with an older woman, or a much younger man, or sum1 physically challenged, this is NOT a disease! Its a personal preference that may seem unusual to u because of ur conditioning. But pls don't make factually incorrect statements about it.'

All is well between Raj Kundra and Shilpa

Image: Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

Shilpa Shetty denied reports of cracks in her marriage with Raj Kundra, and claimed that they were very happy together and are holidaying in the US.

'1st I hear am preggars(NOT true)Now I hear my husbands havin an affair frm the press. Common fr papers 2 stoop low 2 sensationalise false...  False news!grrrrrr:( 4 the record, my husband and I are holidaying in USA and r very happily married. Sorry 2 burst the newspapers bubble":)' she tweeted.

RGV lodges a complaint against BJP

Image: Ram Gopal Varma

Ram Gopal Varma's comment on wanting to work with actress Maria Susairaj has upset the BJP yuva morcha, who have apparently threatened him. The director has now lodged a police complaint.

He tweeted: 'Am on my way to oshiwara police station to lodge a complaint against Bjp yuva morcha president for threatening me with dire consequences. Just lodged a complaint with the versova police against the BJP yuva morchas threat to me on the maria susairaj issue.'

They also sent a warning letter to his office. 'Other organizations warnings I got to hear from the media but the BJP sent a signed warning letter directly to my office,' he wrote.

He also clarified his relationship with Maria: 'Maria is nt my sister or my girl friend nd I don't evn knw her ..so its nt about supporting her but its about standing fr my beliefs.'

Tweet pix

Image: Deepika Padukone on the cover of Elle magazine

Deepika Padukone tweeted a picture of her latest cover for Elle magazine (left).

Farah Khan Ali was happy to catch up with the Dutts. 'Met d eternal rock star & my first celebrity crush last night with his beautiful wife @maanayata_dutt. Sanju Baba rocks totally,' she tweeted, and posted a picture.

Mahesh Bhatt shared a picture of Emraan Hashmi and him together. Their film Murder 2 opens this Friday.

Raima Sen posted a
picture of her walking down Times Square.

Preity Zinta turns producer

Image: Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta, who has been missing from the spotlight for quite some time, is producing a movie called Ishkq In Paris. The 36-year-old actress was last seen in an item number in the 2009 film Main Aur Mrs Khanna.

She is presently in Paris, where the movie is being shot.

'Ok Guys ! Here it is..... The movie I am going to produce is called "Ishkq In Paris " & I am SUUUPEERR excited about it !!!! Ting :-) !!! Thanku all 4 all ur good wishes! Am looking forward 2 some fireworks in Paris this summer. Mother India producing it with me ;-) so Ting!' she tweeted.

The movie will be a romcom and is being directed by Prem Soni, who had debuted with Main Aur Mrs Khanna.