Entertainment

8 years of 'Mumbai Police': When Prithviraj-Rosshan Andrrews combo made Indian cinema's first gay hero

"Mumbai Police" happened five years before the British-era Section 377 was repealed, giving mainstream Indian cinema its first gay protagonist and throwing homophobia on to the table for discussion.
Section 377 of the IPC which made homosexuality a punishable offence in the country was decriminalised by the Supreme Court of India on September 6, 2018. Not much has changed since then, the stigma towards same-sex love remains unchallenged and the India
Section 377 of the IPC which made homosexuality a punishable offence in the country was decriminalised by the Supreme Court of India on September 6, 2018. Not much has changed since then, the stigma towards same-sex love remains unchallenged and the India
Bechu S
Updated on: 
2 min read
The story revolves around three Kerala cadre IPS officers - ACP Aaryan John (Jayasurya), ACP Antony Moses (Prithviraj) and Commissioner Farhaan Aman (Rahman). As their friendship sprouts and the trio lands in some unwanted troubles, a shared service history awards them with the alias 'Mumbai Police' among media circles. (Screengrab)
The story revolves around three Kerala cadre IPS officers - ACP Aaryan John (Jayasurya), ACP Antony Moses (Prithviraj) and Commissioner Farhaan Aman (Rahman). As their friendship sprouts and the trio lands in some unwanted troubles, a shared service history awards them with the alias 'Mumbai Police' among media circles. (Screengrab)
Aaryan is murdered by sniper fire while receiving a gallantry award and Moses is picked to find out his friend's killer(s). He does crack the case but loses his memory in an accident right before revealing the killer's name to Farhan. Discharged from the hospital with little memory from the recent past, Antony must now re-investigate the case from square one. (Screengrab)
Aaryan is murdered by sniper fire while receiving a gallantry award and Moses is picked to find out his friend's killer(s). He does crack the case but loses his memory in an accident right before revealing the killer's name to Farhan. Discharged from the hospital with little memory from the recent past, Antony must now re-investigate the case from square one. (Screengrab)
Apart from the politics it discusses, 'Mumbai Police' is among Malayalam's finest crime thrillers till date. Just like 'Anjaam Pathiraa' set the benchmark for psycho murder-mysteries, this Rosshan Andrews film provided police dramas with a much-needed level-up. The plot and the way past and present get interweave is pure bliss with little space for logical errors and confusions. (Screengrab)
Apart from the politics it discusses, 'Mumbai Police' is among Malayalam's finest crime thrillers till date. Just like 'Anjaam Pathiraa' set the benchmark for psycho murder-mysteries, this Rosshan Andrews film provided police dramas with a much-needed level-up. The plot and the way past and present get interweave is pure bliss with little space for logical errors and confusions. (Screengrab)
We have one intelligent cop decoding his own earlier errors as another sets up the perfect trap to land the culprit, without giving him the slightest hint about what is in store for him. The viewers remain glued to their seats to the very end and it is highly unlikely for them to guess the villain halfway as in the case of many movies. (Screengrab)
We have one intelligent cop decoding his own earlier errors as another sets up the perfect trap to land the culprit, without giving him the slightest hint about what is in store for him. The viewers remain glued to their seats to the very end and it is highly unlikely for them to guess the villain halfway as in the case of many movies. (Screengrab)
The movie, however, was criticised from many quarters for being homophobic. This argument was based on the fact that Moses breaks down when he remembers that he is gay in the presence of his partner. By showing the character in tears for being a homosexual man sends the wrong message as if it is something to be sad about. (Screengrab)
The movie, however, was criticised from many quarters for being homophobic. This argument was based on the fact that Moses breaks down when he remembers that he is gay in the presence of his partner. By showing the character in tears for being a homosexual man sends the wrong message as if it is something to be sad about. (Screengrab)
However, this is a wrong reading of the film, a more convincing theory argues. Moses is in a stage of recollecting is pre-accidental doings one after another and by the time his partner shows up at the apartment, he has learnt a lot more than what is shown to the viewers. The revelation about his sexual orientation fills in the last few dots he needed and hence breaks down, realising the intensity of his previous acts. (Screengrab)
However, this is a wrong reading of the film, a more convincing theory argues. Moses is in a stage of recollecting is pre-accidental doings one after another and by the time his partner shows up at the apartment, he has learnt a lot more than what is shown to the viewers. The revelation about his sexual orientation fills in the last few dots he needed and hence breaks down, realising the intensity of his previous acts. (Screengrab)
The discussion on homophobia doesn't end in the mere mentioning of the protagonist's sexuality. The very motive of the crime is the fear of getting his big secret revealed. The crime takes birth from the thought of what becomes of 'the gay police officer' his reputation and sister's life. The motive here isn't any wealth or personal gains but the instinct to escape the wrath of a homophobic society. (Screengrab)
The discussion on homophobia doesn't end in the mere mentioning of the protagonist's sexuality. The very motive of the crime is the fear of getting his big secret revealed. The crime takes birth from the thought of what becomes of 'the gay police officer' his reputation and sister's life. The motive here isn't any wealth or personal gains but the instinct to escape the wrath of a homophobic society. (Screengrab)
Further on, in Aaryan's words, the 'Rascal Moses' avatar is a veil that Antony puts on to hide his real self. The alpha-male, toxic masculine image is expected to hide his real self from society. An ill-disciplined, alcoholic, angry cop won't be scrutinised for staying single or having visitors at odd-hours. (Screengrab)
Further on, in Aaryan's words, the 'Rascal Moses' avatar is a veil that Antony puts on to hide his real self. The alpha-male, toxic masculine image is expected to hide his real self from society. An ill-disciplined, alcoholic, angry cop won't be scrutinised for staying single or having visitors at odd-hours. (Screengrab)
'Mumbai Police' is a good gay movie with a bad gay guy, a LGBTQ activist once wrote. It neither celebrates a crime nor the protagonist. Through Aaryan's initial response to Antony and the speech recorded later on his girlfriend's phone, it reminds homosexual people the importance of giving their dear ones time to adjust with reality. An angry outburst upon learning that you are gay doesn't mean they are homophobic beyond repair. People are likely to come around over time, he wrote. (Screengrab)
'Mumbai Police' is a good gay movie with a bad gay guy, a LGBTQ activist once wrote. It neither celebrates a crime nor the protagonist. Through Aaryan's initial response to Antony and the speech recorded later on his girlfriend's phone, it reminds homosexual people the importance of giving their dear ones time to adjust with reality. An angry outburst upon learning that you are gay doesn't mean they are homophobic beyond repair. People are likely to come around over time, he wrote. (Screengrab)
Despite facing theatre walkouts across the state, Geethu Mohandas' 'Moothon' was critically acclaimed for showcasing homosexual lives and representing the love between two men without maligning it with poor humour or other homophobic elements. However, 'Mumbai Police' happened six years before 'Moothon' with a star-studded casting and pan-audience approach. (Facebook Photos)
Despite facing theatre walkouts across the state, Geethu Mohandas' 'Moothon' was critically acclaimed for showcasing homosexual lives and representing the love between two men without maligning it with poor humour or other homophobic elements. However, 'Mumbai Police' happened six years before 'Moothon' with a star-studded casting and pan-audience approach. (Facebook Photos)
Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana had revealed how a lot of colleagues had asked him to rethink taking up the role of a gay hero in the 2020 movie 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' as it could hurt his reputation. However, he went on to do the role opposite Jitendra Kumar as he wanted to break the stereotypes about LGBTQ lives. Prithviraj, because of the same reason, deserves a lot of applause for showing the courage to bring ACP Antony Moses to life. (Screengrabs)
Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana had revealed how a lot of colleagues had asked him to rethink taking up the role of a gay hero in the 2020 movie 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' as it could hurt his reputation. However, he went on to do the role opposite Jitendra Kumar as he wanted to break the stereotypes about LGBTQ lives. Prithviraj, because of the same reason, deserves a lot of applause for showing the courage to bring ACP Antony Moses to life. (Screengrabs)
Even after revoking Article 377, homophobia remains a great social challenge for India and the Mollywood actor confidently essayed the role seven years ago. He wasn't the superstar that he is today back then but still decided to go ahead and Ayushmann's words prove it isn't something that every actor will dare to do. Probably that's why 'Mumbai Police' unlike many Malayalam movies before and after it is yet to get a remake in any other Indian language. (Graphic | Vijesh CK)
Even after revoking Article 377, homophobia remains a great social challenge for India and the Mollywood actor confidently essayed the role seven years ago. He wasn't the superstar that he is today back then but still decided to go ahead and Ayushmann's words prove it isn't something that every actor will dare to do. Probably that's why 'Mumbai Police' unlike many Malayalam movies before and after it is yet to get a remake in any other Indian language. (Graphic | Vijesh CK)
Mumbai police
Gay rights
LGBTQ
Mollywood
homophobia
homosexuality
gay
Prithviraj
Moothon
Malayalam movie
Rosshan Andrrews
Mumbai Police movie
Crime thriller

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